St. Joseph River – Health advisory rescinded

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is lifting the No Contact Health Advisory. Residents can again utilize the St. Joseph River for recreational activities.

Officials of the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant had notified the health department that approximately 500,000 gallons of untreated waste water was discharged into the St. Joseph River between Friday, July 7th at 9:30 p.m. until the next morning, Saturday, at approximately 8:30 a.m. due a force main break near the Broadway Street Bridge. This discharge resulted in the health department issuing a “No Contact” Health Advisory for the river from the area downstream of the Broadway Street Bridge through Constantine.

Water samples collected by personnel from the Three Rivers Wastewater Treatment Plant  this past Friday, and Monday, July 17th with results reported to the health department show that the water in the St. Joseph River now contains levels of fecal coliform generally expected to be present.