As of approximately 8:00 PM last night, crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) have been able to setup a bypass pump at the site of a failing sewer along Maline Creek in Bellefontaine Neighbors. The pump allows for sewage to be pumped around the failing joints in the sewer. Thus, the discharge of sewage into Maline Creek has been halted.
MSD is working on a permanent fix for the sewer line.
Monday afternoon, September 15, staff from the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors discovered the discharge into Maline Creek and reported it to MSD at 2:45 PM. The location of the failure is to the immediate west of the intersection of Bellefontaine Road and Delaird Drive in Bellefontaine Neighbors, along the south bank of Maline Creek. MSD crews investigated and discovered that joints between sections of a 50-plus year old clay sewer pipe had separated, allowing sewage to discharge into Maline Creek. MSD estimates that 60,000 gallons escaped through the failing joints into Maline Creek.
MSD crews are conducting cleanup activities along approximately 1,000 feet of creek bank to the east of the break. Signs have been posted in areas where the public may readily come into contact with the affected section of Maline Creek.
While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid contact with Maline Creek in this area for the next 48 to 72 hours. If anyone should come into contact with the creek in this area, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The sewer failure and discharge of sewage has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law