Missouri's Dogtown sinkhole traced to collapsed sewer pipe, not water main break

(UI) — According to Fox 2 Now, the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District has determined that the large sinkhole in Dogtown was not caused by a water main break, as previously believed, but rather by a collapsed sewer pipe.

Sean Stone, an MSD spokesman, attributed the cause to the old pipe accumulating debris over time, with the added pressure from the recent storms on June 18 leading to its failure. Stone mentioned that the crews have successfully reached a depth of 12 feet and identified the pipe.

The subsequent phase involves determining the extent of the damage and planning for the necessary removal and replacement of the affected section.

However, Stone claimed there is no evidence of a water main break. MSD first believed it to be the reason why the sewer collapsed when responding personnel noticed water rising.

“We got a couple calls from customers in the area indicating there had been some back up, so we knew that there was likely a problem with the sewer main as well,” Stone told Fox 2 Now.

Dogtown resident Morgan Mayberry claimed that she ran straight over it on Tuesday morning while out running errands. She first saw the damage when she returned.

However, she expressed that the repair crews appear to be making significant progress. Mayberry also told Fox 2 Now that she has observed constant activity in the area, which she finds encouraging. She emphasized the importance of resolving the issue promptly for the benefit of the neighborhood.

Sean Stone, the MSD spokesman, acknowledged the presence of poor soil characteristics while speaking about the site's circumstances. He said that because repairs had previously been made to that part of the roadway, there are loose and sandy materials there that might potentially collapse into the excavation area. 

The sinkhole will continue to be fixed by MSD crews, who hope to have it done by the end of the week.

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