Delaware Sewer Break Discharges Wastewater Into River
DOVER, Del. (AP) - A force main break caused wastewater to flow into a Delaware river, and people in the vicinity are being advised to take precautions, officials said. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said the Kent County Levy Court Public Works is looking into the break which allowed the spill into the St. Jones River.
The sewer overflow, which occurred when the force main ruptured near Kent County's pumping station along its Puncheon Run line, was reported to DNREC on Wednesday afternoon.
According to a news release, the county was working into the night with environmental contractors to repair the main, with staff from the state department assessing the situation. Residents were advised to limit water usage to consumption only, such as for cooking, drinking water, using the toilet, or dripping water to prevent pipes from freezing.
Online websites say force mains are used in sanitary sewer networks. One of their main purposes is to move waste and sewage from any low-lying area.
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