Latest news with #MetropolitanSewerDistrict
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
UPDATE: Area lake reopens after ‘elevated E. coli levels' found in water
An area lake has reopened after 'elevated E. coli levels' were detected and studied by a group of college students. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Winton Lake in Hamilton County has reopened for public activities, as reported by our news partner WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. Hamilton County Public Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District first announced the lake's closure on May 20. Officials were concerned that sewage may have entered a creek that feeds into the lake. RELATED: 600-times the allowed amount of dangerous bacteria discovered in soil at Ohio park A team of University of Cincinnati students investigated E. coli levels in the soil at Burnet Woods Park after 'a combined sewer overflow event' that happened in early April as heavy rain drenched the region for days, as previously reported on News Center 7. TRENDING STORIES: Fire-breathing or fire-fighting? Bearded dragon saves owner from house fire Memorial Day 2025: Several ceremonies, events across region; what to know Former Ohio State football player seriously injured in deadly ATV crash A sample taken by the students eight hours after the overflow event found there was 600 times the amount of E. coli permitted for recreational waters. Environmental health specialists were notified and began investigating sewage discharge on the northern side of the lake near the Winton Woods on May 19, according to WCPO-TV. On May 20, a nuisance investigation form was filed and officials from Hamilton County Public Health, Great Parks, and the Metropolitan Sewer District met in the park and found a 'surcharging manhole.' After the water levels were found to be within 'state and US EPA-recommended thresholds,' Great Parks announced that Winton Lake would be reopened because the sewage discharge had been stopped. The Metropolitan Sewer District said they would investigate the sanitary sewer line about one mile north of the lake that they believe may have been the source of the leak. The district is also working to flush the sewer line to determine the source of the issue, but the topography of the area has made that process difficult, according to WCPO-TV. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
Winton Lake open to recreational activities after sewage leak stopped, E. coli levels low
Winton Lake is open again for the Memorial Day holiday after a brief closure caused by a sewage leak. The lake is reopened to all recreational activities, including canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding and fishing, Great Parks officials announced May 24. Swimming has always been prohibited in the lake. After the source of the contamination was stopped, water testing found the E. coli levels to be below both state and federal standards, leading Hamilton County Public Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman to lift his previous recommendation to avoid the lake. 'It is OK to boat, fish and recreate at the lake," Kesterman said in a news release. "We still recommend good hand hygiene after water recreation." Metropolitan Sewer District officials believe a sanitary sewer line, which transports sewage from homes, about a mile north of Winton Woods leaked sewage into a creek that fed into Winton Lake. Water testing soon found elevated E. Coli levels in the lake. Great Parks officials followed health officials recommendations after the "concerning" discharge and suspended all recreational activities May 20. Winton Woods is a 2,529-acre park located in Springfield Township and Greenhills, north of Cincinnati. Its 113-site campground abuts the lake, which runs through the park. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Winton Lake reopens for recreational activities after sewage leak
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Elevated' E. coli levels detected in Winton Lake after sewer line leak
Elevated E. coli levels have been detected in Winton Lake after a sewer line north of Winton Lake might have broken or been blocked, according to local sewer officials. A sanitary sewer line, which transports sewage from homes, about a mile north of Winton Woods is believed to have leaked sewage into a creek that fed into Winton Lake, Metropolitan Sewer District spokeswoman Deb Leonard told The Enquirer. The sewer district is flushing the sewer line between Waycross Road and Embassy Drive in Forest Park to determine the issues, Leonard said. Water samples taken from Winton Lake on May 20 confirmed "elevated" E. coli levels in one of three areas tested, particularly at the northern portion of the lake near the campground. The sewer district is continuing to take samples. After Hamilton County Public Heath reported the "concerning" sewage leak, Great Parks announced it would suspend all recreational activities at the lake. That includes paddleboarding, fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Swimming is already prohibited in the lake. Park visitors are recommended to exercise caution to prevent health issues because exposure to sewage can cause illness. Officials provided the following safety tips: Do not let children or pets play near the affected area. Avoid letting bare skin come into contact with lake water. Wash hands, clothing and footwear thoroughly after being in the area. Winton Woods is a 2,529-acre park located in Springfield Township and Greenhills, north of Cincinnati. Its 113-site campground abuts the lake, which runs through the park. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Elevated' E. coli levels found in Winton Lake after sewage discharge
Business Journals
22-04-2025
- General
- Business Journals
Historically old sewers crumble as giant sinkhole stirs St. Louis concern
A massive sinkhole that opened at the intersection of Cass and 17th Street in North St. Louis has become what one resident called "a hole in the city" – both literally and metaphorically, as officials begin the complex process of repairing infrastructure that dates back to the Civil War era. Construction crews arrived Monday with heavy equipment at the site where tons of crumbling brick collapsed into the sewer system below, creating a 20-foot-deep cavity that has drawn crowds of onlookers despite the obvious danger. "Oh my God. I'm glad no one was driving when it collapsed," said Patricia, a concerned commuter who stopped to observe the scene. The sinkhole, located just blocks from the former Pruitt-Igoe housing projects, represents more than just a traffic hazard. According to city officials, it symbolizes the broader infrastructure challenges facing St. Louis as its population continues to decline. "We have some sewers that date back to the time of the Civil War. I mean that's how old some of the infrastructure around here is," said Bess McCoy, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Sewer District. For Eddie Burns, who regularly navigates broken sidewalks and crosswalks in the area, the massive collapse raised concerns about basic safety. "Whew. What else is gonna happen? Is the ground gonna sink all the way across while I'm riding down the sidewalk," Burns wondered. The sinkhole falls within Alderman Rasheen Aldridge's 14th Ward. Aldridge expressed urgency about addressing the situation before it worsens. "Hopefully this gets addressed very soon because we don't want this sinkhole to spread to eventually get to their homes," he said. The collapse has triggered meetings between MSD and multiple city departments. McCoy confirmed that contractors are mobilizing equipment as officials investigate what caused the sewer and street to give way. "With almost 10,000 miles of sewer lines, some of them very old, sometimes we're going to miss them," McCoy admitted. The cost to repair the sinkhole remains unknown, but it highlights a larger financial challenge. Last year, nearly 80% of voters approved a rate hike for MSD to bring the city's sewer infrastructure into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act – a $7.2 billion project estimated to take 15 years to complete. Aldridge acknowledged the difficult financial decisions ahead: "I don't know if we're at a place right now where we know what the price tag is. If not replacing all, but maybe the most critical ones, the ones that are a little older than the ones that are newer." This sinkhole at 17th and Cass is reportedly the largest of three major sinkholes currently affecting St. Louis streets. Unlike the other two, this collapse was too extensive for MSD's standard equipment, necessitating specialized construction crews. As barricades prevent traffic from approaching the hazard, pedestrians continue to gather to view what has become an undeniable symbol of St. Louis's infrastructure challenges – a physical manifestation of the rising and sometimes invisible costs of decline. This report originally appeared on KSDK.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Were you affected by flooding? Here's a list of resources to assist you in Ohio, Kentucky
Organizations and local governments organized resources and cleanup efforts for those affected by the area's recent disruptive floods. The Ohio River at Cincinnati rose Monday to its highest point since 1997. The waters led to intense flooding around the Greater Cincinnati area. This caused thick mud on roadways and in parks, widespread debris and damage to homes. If you've been affected by the flooding, see the list of resources below: And now, the cleanup: Mud left behind as Ohio River water recedes from riverfront parks If you are displaced because of the flood and may need sheltering, please call: 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). If you need help cleaning up after the flood, call 2-1-1 to have your request shared with local voluntary organizations. If you are experiencing a sewer backup, report it to the Metropolitan Sewer District. Click here for information on how to report. Flood cleanup kits are being made available for residents. Cleanup kits include a five-gallon bucket, sponge, hand brush, two sets of handles, mop head, push broom head, squeegee head, brush head, work gloves, rubber gloves, trash bags, face mask, and cleaner/degreaser. Call or visit one of the following locations during normal business hours for a kit: Whitewater Township Fire Department (residents may wish to call 513-353-1518 to ensure staff are available), Miami Township Fire Department Station and Anderson Township Fire Department (call 513-688-8070 to request a kit). City of Cincinnati residents, call 311 to request a kit. More: 8 steps to follow (and who to call) if your basement is flooded Volunteers will be picking up household items around the village starting Saturday at noon. This is not for everyday garbage. Please place items as close as you can get to the street but not on the street. Please put debris in a separate pile. That will be taken care of separately. Contact Kathryn Gail Bailey or call 513-553-4146 x 15 with questions. Homes and businesses whose utilities have been turned off must be inspected before gas or electric can be reconnected. However, residents no longer need to complete an application or call permit central to initiate the process. Clermont County's Building Division has a list of all affected properties and is going door to door with the New Richmond Fire Department to perform inspections. Duke Energy is on site to restore gas and electric as inspections are completed. If residents or businesses would like to schedule their inspection, please call permit central to arrange a date and time: 513-732-732-7213, option 9. Inspectors will continue visiting properties through Saturday. There is no cost for flood-related permits. Matthew 25: Ministries is at the First Baptist Church of New Richmond until 5 p.m. Saturday and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday. They are operating the Tide Loads of Hope van, which provides free laundry services. More: New Richmond faces its worst flooding in decades after storms: 'This is life on the river' If your home or business was damaged, please contact the Kenton County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to schedule your damage assessment. You can contact the office via email at kentoncountyEOC@ or by phone at 859-392-1488. Please be ready to provide the following information: Your name and contact phone number Address of damaged structure(s) If the structure(s) are a primary residence or business location Brief description of the damages Campbell County residents and business owners whose primary properties sustained storm or flood damage are encouraged to request a damage survey. Eligible damages to report include: flood-damaged vehicles; cracked or shifting home foundations; roof damage from wind, fallen trees, or heavy rain. Fill out the report by Wednesday, April 16, here. If your home was affected by flooding, you can get free trash vouchers to help throw things away. Valid through June 30, each voucher allows residents to dispose of one pickup truckload or 8-foot trailer load of debris − stacked no more than 3 feet high − at no cost to the resident. Accepted debris includes drywall and insulation, carpeting and rugs, furniture, tree limbs and yard debris and bagged household waste. Items not accepted include electronics, tires, appliances, hazardous waste or liquids. Residents may be charged for unapproved items. Rumpke reserves the right to refuse noncompliant loads. Request vouchers or learn more here. For voucher program questions, contact Solid Waste at SolidWaste@ or 859-547-1866. Disposal Site Locations: Rumpke Covington Transfer Station at 4399 Boron Drive in Covington. Call 800-828-8171 Rumpke Pendleton County Landfill at 1374 Bryan Griffin Road in Butler. Call 859-472-7339 If you own a home or business in Dearborn County that has sustained damage due to flooding, you are urged to report it by using If you do not have internet access, you may call Dearborn County Emergency Management at -812-537-3971. These reports will assist in determining if disaster relief funding will be available. More: Ohio River rose to its highest in 28 years. Now, Cincinnati assessing, cleaning up damage Dearborn County, Indiana: Volunteers will meet at the Aurora City Hall fire bay on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. Volunteers will be required to check in and check out at the end of each shift. Please wear appropriate work clothes, work boots and gloves. Cleaning supplies will be provided. Lunch and beverages provided. Individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you have questions concerning volunteer efforts, please contact Aurora City Manager, Austin Woods at awoods@ Cincinnati, Ohio: A flood cleanup event took place Saturday morning at the LeBlond Recreation Center located at 2335 Riverside Drive. A spokesperson for the city said there are currently no plans for additional cleanup events, but officials will continue to assess the needs of the community. Did we miss anyone? Any other city and municipality government, agency or volunteer group that is offering recourses to those affected by the floods can send their information to The Enquirer at cinlocalnews@ This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Flood recovery resources for counties in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana
