St. Louis resumes complete operations at one of three flood-affected treatment plants

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) in Missouri, US, has restored operations at the Grand Glaize wastewater treatment facility and are continuing repairs at the Fenton wastewater treatment plant.

The repair works are being carried out in the city of St. Louis following prolonged rainfall last month, which resulted in flooding of the Meramec River.

While the Grand Glaize and the Fenton wastewater treatment facilities had to be shut-down completely, the Missouri river treatment plant was partially damaged.

MSD crews and contractors had been working for the restoration of the three facilities incessantly, but have indicated that it will take months for the Fenton plant to resume its full operations.

Disruption of the treatment facilities have resulted in up to 12 million gallons of raw sewage flowing into the Meramec River daily, reports CBS Local.

MSD executive director Brian Hoelscher said: "Our top priorities are to restore service to our customers and to help them recover from the basement backups they may have experienced.

"We have made significant progress, bringing the Grand Glaize Treatment Plant back to full wastewater treatment in a matter of weeks.

"The Fenton Treatment Plant suffered far worse flooding and more damage. Our work there will take more time and will be measured in months, versus weeks."

The district is expected to invest around $16m for restoring the three facilities. The consumers, however, will not be billed for the expenses, MSD said.

Financial backing for the damage repairs will be covered with insurance and disaster assistance from FEMA and other governmental agencies.