KC Water crews responded to a wastewater overflow near 8507 Independence Ave in Kansas City, MO which occurred at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 29th, 2024, and ended at 4:35pm Friday, August 30th. 16,800 gallons were spilled and reached a storm drainage ditch that leads to the Blue River.
The overflow was caused by vandalism to a manhole, including large rocks, debris and a 2×4 stuffed inside a manhole. Crews have removed most of the blockage as of the 30th, stopping the overflow.
Buried underneath the streets of Kansas City are nearly 2,800 miles of sewer pipes hidden from view but serving an important purpose: to move whatever goes down the drain or toilet away from our homes and businesses to the City’s six wastewater treatment plants. There, pollutants are removed from the water before it is put back into our local rivers. Our wastewater systems protect public health and our environment, and some of the pipes are 50, 100, even 150 years old and still in use today. KC Water’s Smart Sewer program is our commitment to reduce and prevent overflows from Kansas City’s sewer system.
For more information contact media@kcmo.org.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.