Catastrophic pipe rupture discharges six million gallons of polluted water into Nine Springs Creek and nearby wetlands.
In a significant incident, a pipe in the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District broke on August 13, 2025, leading to a spill of approximately 6,000,000 gallons of wastewater into Nine Springs Creek and surrounding wetlands. The Executive Director of the District, Eric Dundee, reported the break and is now overseeing the cleanup efforts.
The broken pipe, located within the District, is currently undergoing a temporary repair. Water is being pumped out of the affected wetland for treatment at the District's facility. The District believes that heavy rains may have contributed to the pipe failing, potentially increasing the pressure in the system and accelerating the failure.
The District, in collaboration with Dane County Public Health and the Department of Natural Resources, is closely monitoring the situation. Daily checks are being conducted on the creek water for E.coli and other bacteria levels to ensure that the situation is under control and that the levels are reduced to those deemed safe.
The spill was first noticed by a bicyclist on Friday in the Capital Springs Recreational area. The District completed the temporary repair the day after the spill was discovered, and the pumped water is now being sent through the treatment plant for full biological treatment.
A permanent repair for the broken pipe will be necessary in the future to prevent such incidents from happening again. The District is committed to ensuring the safety and cleanliness of the area for the benefit of the community and the environment.
In conclusion, the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District is working diligently to address the sewage spill and ensure the safety of the community and the environment. The District, along with Dane County Public Health and the Department of Natural Resources, will continue to monitor the situation until the levels are reduced to those deemed safe.
