A contractor repairing a sewer main in Sedona accidentally spilled up to 20,000 gallons of raw sewage into Oak Creek Tuesday evening.
It occurred along State Route 179 and gushed into the creek at about 150 gallons per minute. The spill was contained and the immediate area was disinfected by about 8:30 p.m. The contractor, Kinney Construction Services, and the city took water tests in the area and cordoned it off. They’ll also test the soil.
Sedona officials say they’ll work with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to take additional cleanup steps. The construction company is hand-delivering information on the spill to residents and businesses downstream and public notices have been placed at trailheads.
According to Sedona officials, Oak Creek's flow is about 13,000 gallons per minute.
For more information on the spill, see www.sr179sewermainreplacement.com or call the project hotline at (928) 852-4164.
