The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) has received and reviewed the results of all water quality samples collected from the sewage overflow that occurred at the Bridgeton Landfill on October 27, 2015. MSD collected samples from the sewage overflow and sent them to laboratories for testing. The testing matched the testing parameters MSD normally uses for the Bridgeton Landfill which includes metals, organic chemicals, and radionuclides. Final test results showed that any pollutants released from the sewage spill did not pose a threat to public health.
The sewage overflow was discovered after a technician from MSD responded to an alarm at a nearby facility and discovered the pump station, located on Bridgeton Landfill property, was not operating. The pump station stopped operating as a result of a buildup of material that clogged up the valves and other mechanical components within the pump station.
The sewage overflow was contained and cleaned up within 48-hours of when the overflow was discovered.
This pump station takes sewage from Bridgeton Landfill’s pre-treatment facility and puts it into a force main that eventually leads to the Bissell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant located along the Mississippi River.
As a result of this overflow event, and as a measure designed to lower the risk of a similar event re-occurring, MSD has increased its frequency of inspections for this the pump station to weekly. The most recent inspection prior to this sewage overflow was conducted on October 5, 2015. At that time, no visible signs of an issue were discovered.
MSD understands the community’s concerns about the Bridgeton Landfill and its operations. MSD will continue to publicly share further information on this incident as it becomes available.