Denver International Airport’s officials today announced that they discovered a sanitary sewer overflow last week, and have been monitoring elevated levels of fecal bacteria in the nearby Third Creek.
The sewage overflow was discovered on Saturday, September 3.
Crews were able to successfully stop the leak, and have now constructed a dam to hold additional runoff.
Environmental staff at the airport collected water samples from Third Creek and found fecal coliform bacteria in the water.
According to a release from DIA, the staff could not be certain that the elevated levels of the bacteria are directly related to the sewage leak.
Throughout the week, levels have been declining, but DIA plans to continue testing until results return to normal.
Aviation manager Kim Day said in the news release that DIA, “is working to resolve the problem and will continue to help mitigate any potential impact to the environment.”
In accordance with applicable regulations and the airport’s Environmental Management System procedures, airport officials alerted federal, state and local environmental health agencies including the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and downstream neighbors.
DIA has also placed signs advising the public of potential health risks along Third Creek and dammed the waterway to contain the bacteria contaminants.
Third Creek is part of DIA’s storm water drainage system, but also flows through private property downstream of the airport and into an irrigation canal.
DIA believes the sewage overflow was caused by a collapsed manhole that is being repaired.
In March 2010, a pump malfunctioned at DIA, and sent up to 1 million gallons of raw sewage and industrial wastewater into nearby creeks and canals.
