Demolition begins at Gatlinburg wastewater plant nine months after deadly accident
Nine months after a concrete wall collapsed and killed two workers at the Gatlinburg wastewater treatment plant, crews started demolishing the remnants of the deadly debris.
“It has been very difficult and very challenging,” said Dale Phelps, Gatlinburg Utility Manager. “The contractor will begin removing what is left of the equalization basin. That concrete and steel will then be disposed of.”
The equalization basin wall collapsed on April 5, 2011. The failure of the concrete and steel structure killed 53-year-old John Eslinger and 44-year-old Don Storey.
Workers at the plant have entered the gates and seen a twisted tangle of steel cables beside the remaining walls of the basin since April. The debris and dangling concrete served as a daily reminder of the tragic events while investigations were conducted and contracts for demolition awarded.
Now a contractor from Canton, NC, has 45 days to complete the demolition of the basin.
“This is the beginning of the next steps to remove the old basin and prepare a new basin. A very important point is the plant has remained fully operational and operated well ever since the day after the accident,” said Phelps.
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