Sanitary Sewer Overflow Reported on October 11, 2018 near Creek

UPDATE: On October 15, tests came back within acceptable levels and contaminated creek signs were removed.

At 2:15 p.m. October 11, Water Pollution Control staff were cleaning a maintenance line when they noticed an overflowing manhole. The location was the south side of the Buffalo Bill Cody Park Trail behind the baseball field. No contamination was found in the park trail or in public areas on the north side. Staff estimate that 300 gallons of wastewater flowed into the stream from the south side of the creek. Staff were able to unclog the blockage and stop the flow of wastewater into the creek. 

Contaminated creek signs have been placed along the creek and staff are taking E. coli samples. Once the samples are tested within limits considered acceptable by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, staff will remove the signs.

The City asks citizens to stay out of the creek until the contaminated signs are removed.