WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
A “no-contact” order with a segment of the St. Joseph River remains in effect in the Three Rivers area. The precautionary measure is in place after officials from the Three Rivers Clean Water Treatment Plant over the weekend notified the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency that the sanitary sewer river crossing at Broadway Street in Three Rivers became submerged due to flooding. As a result, it began discharging sewage at a rate of 900 gallons per hour at 10 a.m. Sunday. The “no-contact” health advisory from Broadway Street to the Constantine Dam is in effect until further notice.
Meanwhile, the Three Rivers Department of Public Services placed a 30-inch diameter by four-foot tall concrete structure over the top of the discharging manhole at 9 a.m. Monday. Sandbags were then placed in and around the structure. As a result, the volume of the discharge was reduced to an estimated 25 gallons per hour. The total volume of the discharge is currently estimated at more than 20,800 gallons as of 2 p.m. Monday.
