Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are cleaning up a discharge of sewage near Albecht County Park in South St. Louis County.
Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) are cleaning up a discharge of sewage near Albrecht County Park in South St. Louis County.
The overflow was discovered yesterday (Friday, June 12), after an MSD employee reported an odor in the area. When MSD crews arrived on the scene to investigate, they found that the sewer had been vandalized. The lid to the manhole had been removed and two large tree logs had been dumped into the manhole, which subsequently blocked the sewer and caused sewage to enter into Sugar Creek Two, which flows into the Mississippi River. MSD crews removed the logs later Friday afternoon and cleanup procedures were immediatedley implemented. Cleanup will continue through Sunday, June 14.
It is estimated that 77,000 gallons of sewage entered the creek, impacting almost 4,500 feet of the creek. While there is no immediate threat to the public health or safety, the public is asked to avoid contact with the creek in this area for the next 48 to 72 hours. Signs have been posted in the area where the public may readily come into contact with the affected section of the tributary. If anyone should come into contact with the tributary in this area, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
MSD is also asking that if anyone has any information with regards to the vandalized manhole to please contact the St. Louis County Police.
The sewer break was reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.