Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are cleaning up after a gate failure at a pump station along the River des Peres. As a result of the gate failure, approximately 1.3 million gallons of wastewater discharged into the River des Peres. The wastewater has a red tinge to it, due to a non-toxic food dye used by a commercial customer. The discharge has been halted and cleanup activities are underway.
The pump station is located approximately 300 yards east of Macklind Avenue, where Macklind crosses the River des Peres just south of Manchester Road. The gate at the pump station experienced what the preliminary investigation shows to be a programming error in the operating system. The programming error closed the gate, which caused the discharge into the River des Peres.
MSD maintenance crews were notified of the gate failure through automated alarms at 11:35 AM on Monday, September 23. Crews responded immediately and repaired the gate in approximately 2 hours. Concurrently, efforts were undertaken to contain the flow of wastewater already in the river. The length of river currently impacted by the discharge extends from the pump station to near where the River des Peres crosses Arsenal Street near McCausland Avenue. The wastewater is being captured at the downstream location and pumped back into the sewer system.
While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid contact with the River des Peres in this area for the next 48 to 72 hours. Signs have been posted in areas where the public may readily come into contact with the affected section of channel. If anyone should come into contact with the River des Peres in this area, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The gate failure and discharge of sewage has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.