UPDATE: As a precaution residents as well as pets are advised to avoid contact with the cove until further notice, pending results of water quality samples.
Originally residents were told to avoid the area until 6 p.m. tonight, that has been changed to "until further notice."
TOPEKA (KSNT) - Warning! That's the message from Shawnee County.
The department of public works in Shawnee County is warning residents to avoid the southeast cove in Lake Sherwood after sewer water spilled into the lake after a sanitary sewer pump malfunctioned.
Late yesterday afternoon, a sanitary sewer pump station located between 3901 and 3921 SW Chelmsford malfunctioned, causing the collection system on the west side of the cove to fill. Ultimately a number of manholes located between 6736 and 6712 SW Aylesbury Road filled, spilled over and discharged into the lake. The discharges were of an unknown but small volume. Samples of the lake are being collected. The pump station has been repaired and is now operational.
Shawnee County, Amanda Monhollon
As a precaution, the county is asking residents to avoid contact with the cove until 6:00 p.m., July 28.
The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) has been notified. The pump station that failed is being replaced as part of a series of upcoming projects within the Lake Sherwood Sanitary Sewer Treatment System which are being funded by a $7,000,000 KDHE loan. The loan repayments will be paid for over the next 20 years by users of the Sherwood Treatment System.
Shawnee County, Amanda Monhollon
