photo by: Philip Heying/Journal-World File Photo

Updated story • Aug. 4 — City fixes sewage treatment equipment, stops releases into local waterways

Heavy rainfall has caused equipment failure at the Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant, causing the plant to shut down and sewage to be deposited into the Kansas River, according to a City of Lawrence news release.

The release states that exceptionally heavy rainfall caused equipment failure at the plant, 1400 E. Eighth St., and that the city’s Municipal Services and Operations Department shut down the plant for repairs. As a result, the MSO Department is bypassing the treatment plant and diverting wastewater into the Kansas River and nearby streams.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been notified as have municipalities downstream of Lawrence, according to the release. The city advises the public and their pets to avoid contact with any floodwater in low-lying flooded areas because of the potential of contamination.