An alligator at the Lake Waccamaw wastewater treatment plant was one lucky reptile last week.
The animal found itself stuck in a clarifier, and was in danger of being injured as well as damaging the plant.
Primary clarifiers are downstream of the plant’s screening and grit chambers to separate solids from the raw wastewater. Secondary clarifiers are constructed downstream of the sludge facility, and separate the treated wastewater from the material left after treatment.
Mayor Matt Wilson, daughter Lakyn, and Kevin Powell came to the creature’s rescue.
“No harm was done to the gator. We are glad we could intervene and save it from the equipment,” said Wilson.
The gator was grabbed with a catch pole and pulled to safety. It was tagged with a tracking device, marked on the tail, and safely released well away from the wastewater plant.
