Heavy Rain, Snow Melt & Flooding Cause Combine Sewer Overflow

Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 9:09 AM

Due to the 5.13” of rainfall over the last 10 days, snow melt, and river flooding, Plymouth’s sewer system and wastewater treatment facility has exceeded capacity, resulting in a Combine Sewer Overflow (CSO).

City Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson is recommending persons avoid all contact with water downstream of combined sewers. Signage has been posted along the waterways to identify the 10 combine-sewer-overflow-points and where contact with the water could be hazardous to your health. Even during dry weather, the potential also exists, from other sources such as wildlife, upstream users, and groundwater discharges for pollutants to be present in the Yellow River.

AFFECTED AREAS at 6 A.M. on Monday, March 6th was on the

Yellow River downstream from Klinger Street

Yellow River downstream from Elliot Street

Yellow River downstream from Magnetic / Bird Park Area

Yellow River downstream from Cleveland Street

Yellow River downstream from Sixth Street

The City of Plymouth encourages you to take the following protective actions when recreating in the urban area.

• Avoid contact with urban streams, especially during and three (3) days after rain.

• Alter urban stream recreational activities to ones that Do Not contact water. For example, try walking or biking along a stream rather than swimming, wading, or water skiing.

• Always wash your hands after contacting water in urban streams, especially before eating.

• Use a waterless hand sanitizer at outings that occur near urban streams.