TOPEKA (KSNT) – State health officials have issued a stream advisory for part of Lake Shawnee near its swimming beach area due to a ruptured sewer pipe.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment issued the stream advisory on Jan. 29. It concerns the northeast section of Lake Shawnee at the inlet southeast of the public swimming beach area.
The KDHE said the advisory was triggered due to a ruptured pressurized sewer pipe that has spilled sewage into the inlet. Shawnee County is aware of the issue and is currently working to fix the ruptured pipe.
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City of Topeka spokesman Dan Garrett said work crews are finishing up final repairs on the damaged pipe.
“It is believed a private contractor, not hired by the city or county, bored through a sanitary sewer force main serving Shawnee County’s Pump Station 42, just north of SE 36th St & SE Croco Rd, resulting in a sanitary sewer overflow,” Garrett said. “Once it was reported to the City, an emergency contractor was brought in to begin repairs. The overflow is believed to have impacted Lake Shawnee to the north of the hit main. Water samples were taken from the lake for testing. We will share the results once they have been analyzed.”
(Photo By: Tim Schoepflin)
(Photo By: Tim Schoepflin)
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People are being made aware of this issue due to the potentially elevated levels of E. coli bacteria and other contaminants that may be present in the lake’s water. The KDHE advises locals to avoid contact with water in this part of the lake. The advisory will be taken down once contact with the lake is deemed safe again.
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