Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) responded to and have made repairs to an underground force main sewer break at Jamestown Mall.
The location of the break was near Lindbergh Boulevard and Old Jamestown Road in North St. Louis County. The break was reported to MSD customer service Wednesday evening and was confirmed to be a force main break Thursday. A nearby MSD contractor responded quickly to the area and was able to make all necessary repairs to the force main within less than 24-hours. Cleanup activities at the site of the break and other affected were completed by MSD Thursday.
It is estimated that over 70,000 gallons of sewage entered the creek, while repairs were being made. As a result of the force main break, MSD had to shut down a pump station upstream of the break to allow for necessary repairs. Sewer service to homes and businesses in the area were not affected.
Shutting down the pump station, located approximately ¾ mile west of the MO-367 Bridge over Coldwater Creek caused an overflow of sewage into Coldwater Creek. Affected areas potentially include:
• Coldwater Creek immediately south of Silver Fox Drive in Unincorporated St. Louis County
• Coldwater Creek immediately north of Verwood Drive and Fox Haven Drive in Unincorporated St. Louis County
• Coldwater Creek northwest of the MO-367 bridge, including trails that run along the creek near Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.
• Other portions of Coldwater Creek downstream (east and northeast) of the pump station.
MSD has placed warning signs in these areas, advising the public of the overflows. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to heed the signs and avoid contact with the affected areas. If a member of the public should come in contact with these areas, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
If a member of the public should come across what they suspect to be an overflowing manhole, they should contact MSD’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at (314) 768-6260.
A force main sewer is a sewer line through which wastewater is propelled by the force of pump stations located along the path of the sewer. Pump stations are sometimes necessary to overcome gravity and allow for the transport of wastewater to area treatment plants.
The force main sewer break and associated overflows at the manholes have been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.