VALDOSTA — The city wastewater treatment plant suffered a sewage spill Sunday as a result of heavy rains during the weekend, according to a statement from the city.

The spill at the Withlacoochee Wastewater Treatment Plant took place 6 p.m., according to the statement. Between seven and 10 inches of rain fell during the weekend on portions of Lowndes County, according to the National Weather Service.

The spill fell onto city plant property, more than 1.5 miles from the banks of the Withlacoochee River, the statement said. While the plant has an average daily flow of 3.5 million gallons, the influent flow peaked at more than 32 million gallons, according to the city.

Accurate measurements of the spill won’t be possible until the water recedes from the plant, according to the statement.

“The city continues its ongoing efforts to improve the infrastructure of the sewer system to eliminate these issues in the future,” said Ashlyn Becton, Valdosta public information office.

The plant opened in 2016 following years of complaints from downstream Florida communities about Valdosta wastewater spills making their way into the Withlacoochee River.

Terry Richards is senior reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times.