Repairs to a break to an underground force main sewer in North St. Louis County were completed early Tuesday morning by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) contractor. The location of the break is near 100 Jamestown Mall in North St. Louis County. MSD has determined that pipe corrosion caused the force main sewer to break.
The break was reported to MSD customer service on Monday by a Jamestown Mall security officer. A nearby MSD contractor was able to respond quickly to the area and make all necessary repairs to the force main. In order to make the repairs to the broken force main sewer, MSD had to shut down a pump station located approximately ¾ mile west of the MO-367 Bridge over Coldwater Creek. The shutdown of this pump station caused an overflow of sewage into Coldwater Creek. The total volume lost from the force main and associated manholes is being calculated and will be included in reports to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
To properly repair the existing force main sewer, crews and contractors worked to find solid, durable pipe on either side of the break. The section of damaged pipe was then cut out of the force main and replaced with a section of new pipe. Approximately 15 feet of 10-inch diameter ductile iron pipe was replaced.
MSD will complete cleanup activities at the site of the break and other affected areas over the next 48 hours. Sewer service to homes and businesses in the area were not affected. 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.
- The public is encouraged to avoid these effected areas:
- Coldwater Creek immediately south of Silver Fox Drive in unincorporated St. Louis County;
- Coldwater Creek immediately north of Verwood Drive and Fox Haven Drive in unincorporated St. Louis County;
- Coldwater Creek northwest of the MO-367 Bridge, including trails that run along the creek near Fort Belle Fontaine County Park.;
- Other portions of Coldwater Creek downstream (east and northeast) of the pump station.
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 break and associated manhole overflows have been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.