A power outage at MSD’s Bissell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant caused approximately 3.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater to discharge into the Mississippi River this afternoon.
A power outage at MSD’s Bissell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant caused approximately 3.5 million gallons of untreated wastewater to discharge into the Mississippi River this afternoon. The Bissell Point plant is located at 10 East Grand Avenue, in an industrial section of North St. Louis.
The Bissell Point plant relies upon 3 separate power feeds coming into the facility to provide power for normal operations. The plant utilizes 2 feeds, with the remaining feed acting as a backup power source. The plant must have 2 feeds to operate.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., 2 of the 3 feeds failed and the plant ceased normal operations. The loss of power caused untreated wastewater to discharge into the Mississippi River. At approximately 1:45 p.m., power to 1 of the 2 feeds that failed was restored. The plant resumed operations and the discharge was halted.
MSD works diligently to protect against all discharges of untreated wastewater into area waterways. While a discharge is not acceptable by any standard, there is minimal risk to human health and safety, and to the environment, from this incident:
- This portion of the Mississippi River is not commonly used for recreation. Thus, the risk of contact with the wastewater was minimal.
- Drinking water suppliers must adhere to – at all times – strict regulations and guidelines for the treatment of drinking water. Drinking water providers commonly test and treat for the bacteria and other pollutants contained in untreated wastewater.
- The flow rate and volume of water in the Mississippi River at any given time is such that the untreated wastewater was diluted almost instantaneously.
Even with the above facts being stated, MSD reiterates that discharges of this nature are not acceptable and the agency works diligently to protect against them.
The discharge and details of the incident have been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as required by law. The amount of discharge is an estimate based on current information. The exact figure will be finalized before a final report is filed with MDNR.