KDHE Lifts Health Advisory for Portions of Kansas River Following
Accidental Release of Partially Treated Wastewater

Repairs have been made following a construction related problem that lead to partially treated wastewater being bypassed from the Oakland Wastewater Treatment Plant in Topeka. The City of Topeka and a contractor performed the necessary repairs early Nov. 24. The bypass began at approximately 3 p.m. on Nov. 23.

KDHE is lifting the health advisory issued as a health precaution. It recommended 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.

Since no additional release has occurred following the repairs made on Nov. 24 and since the river waters have diluted the wastewater bypass reducing the affects of the bypass, KDHE is lifting the advisory.

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

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