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570,000+ gallons of sewage spills into Kalamazoo River

Posted at 5:44 PM, Aug 16, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-16 18:23:02-04

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The Kalamazoo Department of Public Services says hundreds of thousands of gallons of partially treated sewage spilled into the Kalamazoo River Tuesday.

The overflow happened between 12:58 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. Tuesday at the Water Reclamation Plant at 1415 N.  Harrison St.  because of a control sequence issue with the pumps.

"The amount of partially treated wastewater released to the Kalamazoo River is estimated to be 572,222 gallons," a Tuesday release from the city says.

City officials are currently assessing the impact to the surrounding area, according to the release.  They say that the biggest concern is the Kalamazoo River between the Paterson Street bridge and the D Avenue bridge.

Wastewater spill

According to a release, the Kalamazoo County Department of Health and Community Services is advising people to avoid contact with the river in the area.

"Generally the effect to most residents in the area isn't that great, however if you use the Kalamazoo River for recreation or fishing in the area of Patterson Street Bridge and north and upwards to D Avenue, that is the area that we advise that you limit and or do not contact the water until we can get some test results that the water is safe," said James Baker, the director of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Services.

Anyone who comes in contact with the wastewater should thoroughly clean and disinfect their skin, clothes and shoes.