Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are responding to a failed above ground manhole structure located on the grounds of Resurrection Cemetery, located at 6901 MacKenzie Road, St. Louis, MO, 63123.
Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are responding to a failed above ground manhole structure located on the grounds of Resurrection Cemetery, located at 6901 MacKenzie Road, St. Louis, MO, 63123. The failed structure is located in the western portion of the cemetery, immediately southeast of Watson Road. The failure of the structure has caused an undetermined amount of sewage to discharge into MacKenzie Creek, which runs through the cemetery and travels east to the River des Peres.
As of 6:00 p.m. this evening, MSD crews are working to pump around the failed structure, which will stop the flow of sewage into the creek. Further downstream, a barricade is being erected to stop the flow of water into the River des Peres. At the barricade, the water will be pumped into MSD’s sewer system. Repairs will begin tonight and a 7,000 foot section of MacKenzie Creek will be cleaned up over the next few days.
While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid contact with MacKenzie Creek in this area for the next 48 to 72 hours. Signs have been posted in areas where the public may readily come into contact with the affected section of MacKenzie Creek. If anyone should come into contact with the creek in this area, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The failed manhole structure was discovered by an MSD crew doing routine maintenance and inspection work at approximately 2:00 p.m. this afternoon. The cause of the failure is undetermined at this time.
The manhole structure failure and discharge of sewage has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.