Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) and Spencer Contracting are making repairs after a sewer main break near New Ballwin Road and Myra Road in Ballwin, Missouri.
Crews with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) and Spencer Contracting, a contractor for the St. Louis County Department of Transportation, are making repairs after a sewer main break near New Ballwin Road and Myra Road in Ballwin, Missouri. The break is located approximately one-half mile from Castlewood State Park. The break occurred Tuesday afternoon during ongoing bridge replacement construction work that was being conducted by Spencer Contracting and the St. Louis County Department of Transportation. During the construction, the contractor struck and damaged an 18-inch gravity sewer pipe that runs along Keifer Creek.
It is estimated that over 42,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Keifer Creek. The area of creek which was impacted was contained to a small area outside Castlewood State Park, and much of the spilled sewage was pumped back into the sewer. MSD believes that the spill did not reach the nearby recreational areas in Castlewood State Park. However due to the of the nature of the sewer repair work being conducted and the proximity of the break to the park, we are asking the public to avoid contact with Kiefer Creek in this area while MSD and the contractor make the necessary repairs and clean-up to the affected area. There is no immediate threat to public health or safety.
Crews have set up temporary pumping around the break while all work, including repairs, is being done. The necessary repairs and clean-up to the area has begun.
MSD has placed warning signs in this area and is advising the public to avoid contact with the affected section of this creek. If anyone should come into contact with the creek in this area, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The sewer main break was reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.