The City of Three Rivers Clean Water Plant employees discovered a foam over from one of the treated biosolids tanks on Saturday (June 16) at 06:15 a.m.
The process that caused the discharge was shut down immediately and crews deployed drain blockers to prevent discharge into the storm sewers. It was estimated that 38 gallons entered into the storm sewer and 2,771 gallons spilled onto the ground around the west side of the Clean Water Plant and Lincoln Avenue. Crews immediately cleaned up the street and grounds.
Samples were taken from the St. Joseph River on Saturday with the results available on Sunday; the results indicated that there was no change in water quality between the sampling locations both upstream and downstream from the CWP. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality was given initial notification of the event on Saturday.
Source: New release from James Baker, Clean Water Plant Director
