Sewer repair ends Little Miami River advisory
Untreated sewage no longer being discharged into river.
The health advisory for the southern section of the Warren County river is lifted in time for weekend users.
— The health advisory LEBANON for the southern section of the Little Miami River in Warren County was lifted in time for weekend users.
The Warren County Health District lifted the advisory about 2 p.m. Friday.
The advisory ended after the sewer line break prompting the advisory was repaired and county officials notified the Warren County Health District.
“Untreated sewage is no longer being discharged to the river. The Warren County Health District is removing the advisory in the Little Miami River south of Old 3C Highway in Warren County,” said the health district release.
Health officials urged river users to follow “typical precautions,” which include:
■ Avoid drinking river water.
■ Avoid swallowing water when swimming.
■ Avoid getting water shot up your nose when swimming, especially in warm shallow water.
■ Avoid swimming or wading in water with open wounds or cuts.
■ Don’t swim if you are ill. ■ Shower with soap and clean water after swimming.
The repair was completed at 4:15 a.m. Friday, ending discharge of untreated sewage into Simpson Creek and the river about 5 a.m., according to county officials.
“Our pump stations are operational, and untreated wastewater is no longer being discharged to the river and/ or streams,” Chris Brausch, director of the Warren County Water and Sewer Department, said in an email.
The breach occurred about 10 a.m. Wednesday, when a contractor doing work on Socialville-Foster Road hit a sewer main and damaged a 24-inch line, according to Brausch, also the county’s sanitary engineer.
Despite the damage, Brausch said some sewage continued to flow to the nearby sewage treatment plant, but some leaked out and into the creek, which leads into the river.
Health officials advised people not to enter or fish in the river south of Old 3C Highway until the line was repaired.