Kzoo's sewage leak advisory lifted

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department lifted the Public Health Advisory for the wetlands West of Nazareth Road near Averil Lake, Spring Valley Lake, and the connecting streams on Friday afternoon.

Health officials were warning people to stay away from two lakes and streams in a popular recreation area in Kalamazoo last Thursday.

The advisory came out Thursday afternoon after health officials discovered about 600,000 gallons of raw sewage leaked from a vandalized sewar line. Officals said they think the leak started a day earlier, before anyone noticed.

It happened on the northeast side of the city in the wetlands of a creek that feed into Averill Lake and Spring Valley Lake. The area is known for kayaking, running, canoeing and fishing.

Most of the affected area is on private property closed off by a gate, but other areas, like a city park, are in question.

City workers found planks of wood stuffed down the manhole sewer line. Oddly, city workers suspect the wood was likely stolen from an environmental project in the area that is working to protect the wetlands.

"I think most likely you're going to let Mother Nature do its job here...the sewage will evetually be diluted," said Deb Cardiff, from Kalamazoo County Environmental Health. "Everyone should avoid contact with the water until assessment has been made to show that it is safe for people to be around."