August 2, 2019
With exceptionally heavy rainfall causing equipment failure, the Municipal Services & Operations (MSO) Department shut down the Kansas River Wastewater Treatment Plant for repairs on Thursday, August 1. Because of the equipment failure at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the MSO Department is bypassing at multiple locations across Lawrence. City staff is currently in the process of bringing the Wastewater Treatment Plant back into operation.
Because of the bypasses, the public is advised to avoid contact with any floodwater in low-lying flooded areas due to the potential of localized contamination. The public should also ensure that no children or pets come into contact with floodwaters. Affected areas include the Kansas River and nearby streams. See the attached map, below, for locations where advisory notices have been posted along waterways.
City staff is sampling the affected waterways and will continue to monitor throughout the event. The stream advisories will remain in effect at least through Monday, August 5, when City staff reevaluates conditions.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been notified of the bypasses.
More updates will be made available as necessary.
Contact: Josh Carson, Public Information Officer, Municipal Services & Operations – jcarson@lawrenceks.org | 785-832-7822
