Advisory for Meramec River from Fenton to Mississippi River Remains in Effect
Work continues on restoring full treatment at the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District’s (MSD) Fenton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Fenton, Missouri. Last week, we announced the reestablishment of primary treatment (click here). This week, MSD is pleased to announce that testing shows improvement in water quality in the Meramec River. Testing results are available at this link.
Meramec River Water Quality Report 2-25-16
While we believe the reestablishment and running of primary treatment for several days is, in part, responsible for this improvement, it should be noted that environmental factors are just as important. Volume of river flow, the amount of direct sunlight on the river, has it rained or snowed recently, and other factors all impact bacterial degradation and water quality results. Accordingly, future test results will fluctuate – sometimes dramatically – in one direction or the other.
Since floodwaters receded, work has been on-going to get the plant back to full treatment. As of February 28, 2016, MSD contractors have worked over 10,300 hours to restore operations at the plant. Much of the work is related to electrical systems at the plant. Thus far – and as an example of the extensive nature of the repairs that are needed – approximately 73,000 feet (or approximately 14 miles) of electrical wiring has been replaced.
Recent work has also focused on assessing the structural integrity of the treatment systems that remain to be restored.
Based on the current assessment of the damage and time needed for repairs, it is estimated that full treatment of wastewater will be brought back on-line in April. Other repairs to ensure backup systems and restore other non-critical functions of the plant will take longer.
While there is no immediate threat to the public’s health or safety, the public is still advised to avoid contact with the Meramec River from Fenton, Missouri, to the Mississippi River. Signs have been posted in areas where the public may readily come into contact with this section of the river. If anyone should come into contact with the river in this area, it is recommended they immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
MSD will continue weekly water quality monitoring of the Meramec River near the Fenton WWTP. Past and most recent results are available by clicking on
Meramec River Water Quality Report As shown, one sample is taken upstream of the Fenton WWTP, and several more samples are taken downstream of the plant.
Until the full treatment process is restored at the Fenton WWTP, MSD will make regular updates available on its website, www.stlmsd.com.
For previous updates and other information on the impacts of the December 2015 rains and floods on MSD operations and the Fenton WWTP, please visit
http://www.stlmsd.com/blog.
