A power failure at a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) pump station located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, has caused a sewer overflow into a creek that connects to Mallard Lake in Creve Coeur County Park.
A power failure at a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) pump station located in Maryland Heights, Missouri, has caused a sewer overflow into a creek that connects to Mallard Lake in Creve Coeur County Park. It is believed that a fast moving storm that passed through the area Wednesday evening caused the pump station to lose complete power for a little under an hour. The overflow occurred near the pump station and cleanup is underway in a remote area of the park. Operations at the pump station have been fully restored.
At approximately 6:15 PM on Wednesday, MSD personnel were alerted of a power failure at the pump station located at 2151 Creve Coeur Mill Road. Upon arrival, MSD personnel confirmed that main power was lost and the back-up generator did not operate properly. This, in-turn, caused the three pumps at the station to stop operating. The power failure subsequently caused the sewer system to overflow upstream of the pump station.
Cleanup activities began this morning and will continue for several days. MSD has placed warning signs in the area advising the public of the overflow. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to heed the signs and to avoid contact with the affected area. If a member of the public should come in contact with the area where the overflow has occurred, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The pump station failure and resulting wastewater overflow has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as required by law.
The total volume lost is being calculated and will be reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.