A failed computer sensor, and sewer workers who were apparently slow to react, resulted in a spill of 572,000 gallons of partially treated sewage into Kalamazoo River during the big rainstorms of Monday and Tuesday.
According to MLive, officials at Kalamazoo’s sewage treatment plant said the sensor failed to alert a third pump to kick on because of the large amount of water gushing into the plant. Workers caught the error during a routine inspection of the plant.
The overflow into the river started at 12:58 a.m. on Tuesday and was not fixed until 7:50 a.m.
Officials said the discharge was not raw sewage but “partially treated wastewater,” which means it was a mix of rain water and sewage that received some treatment prior to release.
How much treatment? Well, Marcus Tironi, MDEQ senior environmental engineer, told MLive that the state is still gathering information to determine if the city should face sanctions for violating its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
In the meantime, the city is advising people to avoid contact with river water near the sewage plant. If contact is made, officials advise that people thoroughly clean and disinfect shoes, clothing and skin.
By the way: 572,000 gallons is a spill that nearly equals the volume of an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Photo: West Michigan Environmental Action Council file, 2012
