A power failure at a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) pump station located in Chesterfield, Missouri has caused a sewer overflow into Bonhomme Creek, which is located southwest of Interstate 64.
A power failure at a Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) pump station located in Chesterfield, Missouri has caused a sewer overflow into Bonhomme Creek, which is located southwest of Interstate 64. It is believed that a fast moving storm that passed through the area Sunday evening caused the pump station to lose complete power for approximately seven hours. The power has been restored to the pump station and cleanup is underway.
On Monday, MSD personnel received notification around 1:00am that the Caulks B pump station had lost power. The power outage caused the pumps at the station to stop operating, which subsequently caused the sewer system to overflow upstream of the pump station.
Cleanup activities began today and will continue for the next few days. MSD has placed warning signs in the area advising the public of the overflow. While there is no immediate threat to public health or safety, the public is asked to heed the signs and to avoid contact with the affected area. If a member of the public should come in contact with the area where the overflow has occurred, they should immediately and thoroughly wash with soap and water.
The pump station failure and resulting wastewater overflow has been reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), as required by law.
The total volume lost is being calculated and will be reported to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, as required by law.