Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are at a site where sewage has overflowed from a manhole near Conway Village Drive in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
The overflow was discovered Thursday afternoon by an MSD contractor working in the area and was immediately reported to MSD. Crews from MSD investigated the overflowing manhole, located in a wooded area along a tributary of Creve Coeur Creek. It was discovered that tree roots had grown into the sewer and blocked the pipe. Crews removed the roots and made repairs to the pipe late Thursday night.
It is estimated that over 50,000 gallons of sewage was released into the creek. MSD crews are now cleaning up the creek downstream of where the overflow occurred. Cleanup activities are planned to continue through the weekend and into the early part of next week.
MSD will be cleaning areas of the creek that pass through Maryville University, St. Luke’s Hospital, Ladue Farm Estates subdivision, and the Ladue Road/Highway 141 interchange.
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 the creek or affected banks, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
There is no immediate threat to public health or safety. Sewer service to homes and businesses in this area has not and will not be affected.
The sewer main blockage and associated overflow have been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.