BURLINGTON DPW STATEMENT:
CREWS RESPONDING TO SEWER BREAK UNDER WINOOSKI RIVER AT NORTH PLANT
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Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Goulding, DPW Public Information Manager, RGoulding@burlingtonvt.gov
July 12, 2023
Burlington, VT - Around 6AM on July 12, Burlington Department of Public Works (DPW) Water Resources staff discovered that there was a break in a wastewater pipe that crosses underneath the Winooski River. Crews were quickly mobilized to respond and the State was notified, per protocol. This break is very likely a result of the intense and powerful storm flows currently affecting the Winooski River.
Data showed that flows coming into North Plant dropped off significantly in the early morning hours, consistent with a break of one of the two river crossings in our North Plant collection system. This has resulted in the discharging of untreated wastewater into the Winooski River. At this time, it appears that the volume discharging from this break amounts to approximately half of the flow of one of our smaller wastewater plants, or about 10% of the City’s wastewater flow (½ of flows from NNE).
As of 8:45AM crews were able to block off the sewer crossing pipe to ensure that as much wastewater flow as possible would reach the plant for treatment.
Ongoing Response
Water Resources staff are currently evaluating options for bypass pumping to further limit the amount of sewage entering the River. Repair planning is also underway, although options are limited until floodwaters recede to allow access. We will be releasing additional details as the repair plan is finalized.
We are actively responding to limit the impacts to area waters, investigating what happened, and working to prevent it from re-occurring in the future.
Impacts to the Winooski River and Lake Champlain, User Access to Area Waterfronts
Given the current volume of water and the flow of the river, there will be significant dissipation of this discharge. Given proximity, we are posting a ‘no swimming’ sign at North Shore beach access areas – which are located within a state-regulated 1 mile radius of the mouth of the River and Lake.
After major storms, waterways can remain filled with debris AND bacteria and toxins that are swept into them. It’s important to remain cautious and heed any local advisories. Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront tests the beaches for bacteria regularly during summer. Visit enjoyburlington.com for more information on beaches outside of the 1 mile access area.
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