Wastewater system, treatment plants reach maximum capacity
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2013) — Since Saturday evening, Louisville has experienced more than three inches of rain, causing many streams and drains to over flow. The wastewater system and the treatment plants reached maximum capacity in many areas of Jefferson County.
Metropolitan Sewer District has received more than 500 calls with nearly 200 service requests for drainage assistance. Since midnight Saturday, MSD has reported 50 sanitary sewer overflows and there have been approximately 25 basement backups across the county. MSD is continuing to haul excess flow from several pump stations to prevent home flooding and has cleared dozens of drainage blockages.
On Sunday, at approximately 8:30 a.m., the Derek R. Guthrie Water Quality Treatment Center in southwest Jefferson County experienced a major failure of the plant’s mechanical screening system, according to MSD officials. Emergency repairs are under way and MSD estimates that 95 million gallons of storm water and wastewater have overflowed into Pond Creek and Mill Creek. MSD is working diligently to repair the screens. As of 8:30 p.m. Sunday evening, one screen was successfully repaired, allowing a portion of the wastewater plant to be returned to service.
MSD staff and contractors continue to work throughout the county to minimize the impact of this storm. MSD is monitoring and re-directing wastewater flows throughout the Metro Louisville area to minimize home flooding and reduce the impact on streams. Local flooding and storm backups are subsiding; however, residents will continue to see the results of this heavy rainfall through today.
Customers may contact MSD at 1 (502) 587-0603 to report a sewer backup and MSD will respond as soon as possible.
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