Contractors for the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are working to repair a broken force main in Earth City. The break was discovered Saturday in an industrial area near Earth City Expressway and Rider Trail North.
MSD crews responded, located the break, and called in an emergency contractor to assist with repairs. Crews will be working around the clock until repairs are finished. That’s expected to be within 48 hours. Cleanup and disinfection needs will be assessed at that time. No road closures are expected, and sewer service will not be affected.
Warning signs have been posted in the area, advising the public of the overflow. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, everyone is asked to avoid any creeks, ponds or detention basins in the immediate vicinity until everything is cleaned up. Anyone who comes in contact with wastewater should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
A force main is a sewer line that uses pumps to transport wastewater. Pumps and force mains are necessary when gravity alone is not enough to move wastewater through flat areas or over hills to a wastewater treatment plant.
MSD has reported the break to The Missouri Department of Natural Resources.