“Wisconsin Rapids Wastewater Treatment Plant is working to prevent a re-occurrence by maintaining infrastructure through televising, cleaning, lining, and grouting sewer mains. Residents should also ensure that they have properly installed drain tile, sump pumps, and roof drains that are hooked up to the stormwater collection system and not the sanitary sewer. It is a violation of the City’s ordinance if residents have such cross connections.”
WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI (WSAU-WAOW) — An influx of heavy rain overwhelmed the Wisconsin Rapids water infrastructure, some wastewater spilled into the Wisconsin River on Friday.
WAOW TV reports the accidental overflow happened at around 7:30 AM Friday and lasted until about 11 AM. During that time an estimated 165,000 gallons of diluted wastewater escaped into the river.
Those who recreate in the Wisconsin River in South Wood County, particularly near the Upper Wisconsin River Southern Sub-Basin, should be aware of the incident and the risks it could pose such as exposure to E.coli.
The utility released the following statement about the incident:
