Due to over 5” of rainfall over the last 24 hours, the city’s sewer system and wastewater treatment facility has exceeded capacity, resulting in a Combine Sewer Overflow (CSO).
Plymouth Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson is warning citizens of the weather-related conditions indicating a strong possibility that overflows could occur in the next 72 hours.
The city recommends that affected persons avoid all contact with water downstream of combined sewers. Signage has been posted along the Yellow River waterways to identify the 10 combined sewer overflow points and where contact with the water could be hazardous to your health.
Affected areas include downstream of the Yellow River at Oakhill Avenue, Klinger Street, Elliot Street, Magnetic Park or the Bird Park, and downstream at Cleveland Street and Sixth Street.
The City of Plymouth encourages individuals to take the following protective actions when recreating in the urban area.
· Avoid contact with urban streams, especially during and three (3) days after rain.
· Alter urban stream recreational activities to ones that Do Not contact water. For example, try walking or biking along a stream rather than swimming, wading, or water skiing.
· Always wash your hands after contacting water in urban streams, especially before eating.
· Use a waterless hand sanitizer at outings that occur near urban streams.