An estimated 500 gallons of untreated wastewater per minute was spilling near Cayuga Inlet in Ithaca Tuesday morning as crews investigated a suspected sewer pipe break.
The Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility reported the discharge to NY Alert at 10:16 a.m. Sept. 22. The discharge began around 7 a.m. near 608 S. Meadow St., where untreated wastewater was bubbling to the surface in a grassy area along the road.
Officials reported an odor and debris at the site. Cayuga Inlet is listed as the affected waterbody, with a nearby fishing area and a small tributary of the inlet identified as potentially impacted public areas.
The cause was listed as a pipe break, although officials said the circumstances were still under investigation.
Crews were at the site Tuesday morning waiting for underground utility clearance before repairs could proceed.
In the meantime, sewer crews were using several measures to reduce the amount of wastewater entering the damaged line. A vacuum truck was stationed at the Wood Street pump station to remove wastewater from the wet well and limit pump operation.
Local septic hauling companies were also contacted to provide additional trucks at the Wood Street, Cherry Street and Fairgrounds Memorial pump stations in an effort to prevent wastewater from backing into the line. Pump station maintenance employees were stationed at each location to minimize pumping.
The discharge remained ongoing when the notification was issued. At the estimated rate of 500 gallons per minute, the incident could release about 30,000 gallons per hour while the flow continues, though the state’s notice did not provide a confirmed total volume.
Additional notifications are expected if the discharge continues or when it ends.
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