Partially Treated Wastewater Accidentally Released from
Oakland Treatment Plant in Topeka

Health Advisory: KDHE Recommends No Contact with Portions of Kansas River Until Monday

Due to a construction related problem, partially treated wastewater is being bypassed from the Oakland Wastewater Treatment Plant in Topeka. The City of Topeka and a contractor are performing the necessary repairs. The bypass began at approximately 3 p.m. and may continue until midnight when repairs are expected to be complete. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) was notified of the problem by the city prior to the release Wednesday afternoon.

Because all public drinking water is treated and stored before it reaches consumers, the bypass in Topeka is not expected to affect drinking water quality in downstream communities. Nevertheless, KDHE District Office staff members have notified downstream public water suppliers, according to standard response procedure.

KDHE is issuing a health advisory as a health precaution, and recommends that no one have contact with the waters of the Kansas River downstream of the Oakland plant to the confluence of the Missouri River (located near the Fairfax District in Kansas City, Kansas) until Monday, November 28.

Anyone who does have contact with river water should shower and thoroughly wash hands with soap and warm water before cooking, eating or coming into close contact with others. Pets and livestock should similarly be prohibited from entering the affected portion of the river until Monday.

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