Crews and contractors with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) have finished repairs to the underground force main sewer break in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Crews and contractors with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) have finished repairs to the underground force main sewer break in Chesterfield, Missouri. Pump stations along the force main will ramp up to full operations over the course of the next several hours, returning the system to normal operations.
To effect repairs, the force main sewer had to be temporarily shut down while workers replaced the damaged pipe. This shutdown caused several overflows of sewage from manholes along the force main. Affected areas include:
- The intersection of Crystal Spring Drive and Brighthurst Drive in Chesterfield.
- Portions of the walk/bike trail that runs along the Monarch Chesterfield levee south of Chesterfield Commons.
- Portions of Caulks Creek.
- Portions of Bonhomme Creek.
MSD has placed warning signs in these areas, advising the public of the overflows. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to heed the signs and avoid contact with the affected areas. If a member of the public should come in contact with these areas, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
MSD will continue to monitor manholes in the area. If a member of the public should come across what they suspect to be an overflowing manhole, they should contact MSD’s 24-hour Customer Service Center at (314) 768-6260.
Once full operations of the force main sewer resume, cleanup at the break and associated locations will commence. While an exact timeframe is not yet available, cleanup will take at least several days.
The break in the force main sewer is just west of the intersection of West Drive and North Drive in Chesterfield. Sewage from the damaged force main sewer has been contained on the property at the site of the break. The break was reported to MSD by the property owner at approximately 3:00 PM on Monday, April 21, 2014.
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 and associated manhole overflows have been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.