Crews and contractors with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are cleaning up and making repairs after an underground force main sewer break in Chesterfield, Missouri.
The location of the break is just west of where Cordovan Commons Parkway turns into Howard Bend Station Road in Chesterfield, Missouri. The break was reported to MSD at approximately 5:00 AM today. The break is draining into a ditch that leads to the Missouri River. MSD are crews are taking steps to stop the flow into the Missouri River. These activities should be complete by early to mid-evening, at which time sewage will no longer be flowing into the Missouri River. It is unknown at this time how much sewage has leaked from the force main.
Weather permitting, MSD crews and contractors will work through the night and around the clock until the break is fixed. Depending on the extent of damage to the force main sewer, repairs are expected to take 48 to 72 hours. After the break is repaired, cleanup will be undertaken. An estimate on the amount of time needed for cleanup will be available after the break is repaired.
While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid contact with the drainage ditch directly affected by the sewer break and where it connects with the Missouri River. If a member of the public should come in contact with the area where the leak has occurred or where it is draining, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
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. Force mains are made of cast iron and can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years, depending upon the amount of flow the line handles and the corrosive properties of the wastewater.
The force main sewer in question was built in 1983 and a replacement is currently under design. Construction of the replacement force main is expected to start in 2016 at an estimated cost of $6.5 million.
The force main sewer break was reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.