Minneapolis and Golden Valley
Metropolitan Council responded to wastewater spill in Minneapolis and Golden Valley
The Metropolitan Council, operator of the regional wastewater collection and treatment system, responded Thursday afternoon, July 9, to a wastewater spill in Minneapolis. The spill occurred north of Highway 55, approximately 300 feet west of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Bassett Creek and Wirth Lake are nearby. The spill was isolated and was determined to have been caused by an infrastructure failure.
The Environmental Services division of the Metropolitan Council has determined that the July 9 wastewater spill in Minneapolis and Golden Valley did not impact the water quality of Bassett Creek and is no longer impacting nearby low-lying areas. Warning signs will be removed.
Since July 9, our water quality crews have tested six sites along Bassett Creek and nearby low-lying areas four times. Our scientists, working with the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, determined that impacted areas have returned to their normal water quality.
Crews were able to stop the spill and repair the faulty infrastructure Thursday evening. Water quality crews took samples from four nearby water bodies to look for signs of impact from the spill. Preliminary testing results indicate that the spill reached a low-lying area connected to Bassett Creek north of the highway, but preliminary results do not show increased bacteria levels in Bassett Creek. Cleanup efforts are currently being assessed. Signs warning the public “Do Not Enter/ Sewage Spill” have been placed around affected areas. They will remain in place until the area is verified to be safe to enter. Sewer service was not interrupted.