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.
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 the intersection of West Drive and North Drive. The break was reported to MSD by the property owner at approximately 3:00 PM today. The break is NOT leaking into any waterway and is being contained on the property. It is unknown at this time how much sewage has leaked from the force main.
Depending on weather conditions, MSD crews and contractors will work through the night and around the clock until the break is fixed. Repairs are expected to take 24 to 48 hours. After the break is repaired, cleanup of the site 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 ground directly affected by the sewer break. If a member of the public should come in contact with the ground where the leak has occurred, 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 within the next 18 months at an estimated cost of $5 million.
The force main sewer break was reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.