A power failure at a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) pump station located in Castlewood State Park has caused a spill of approximately 50,000 gallons of wastewater. The spill has been contained in the area around the pump station and is believed to have not reached Kiefer Creek or the Meramec River. Officials with the park, located along the north side of Interstate 44 and west of State Highway 141, have been notified. Portions of the park are closed to allow for cleanup activities. The exact location of the pump station is near the middle portion of the eastern edge of the park, between Kiefer Creek to the north and the Meramec River to the south. Operations at the pump station have been fully restored.
At approximately 7:00 AM this morning, MSD personnel arrived at the pump station and discovered the spill and the pump station shutdown. Full operations were restored by 7:30 AM. An initial determination identified a power failure as the cause of the shutdown. The cause of the power failure is still being investigated.
Cleanup activities are expected to last 24 to 48 hours. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid the closed portions of the park. If a member of the public should come in contact with the area where the spill has occurred, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The pump station failure and resulting wastewater spill has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as required by law.