Oklahoma City drains river basin for sewer infrastructure repairs
(UI) - Oklahoma City has partially drained the eastern basin of the Oklahoma River to provide access for repairs to a wastewater line after crews discovered a sinkhole near a drainage inlet.
According to city officials, and reported by NPR, utility crews identified the sinkhole during routine inspections near an inlet on the north side of the river, across from the OKANA Resort. The area contains wastewater lines that convey sewage to treatment facilities, prompting further investigation and repair planning.
To access the infrastructure, Oklahoma City Public Works lowered gates at the downstream dam, allowing the basin between Walker Avenue and First Americans Boulevard to gradually drain, NPR reported. The drawdown left approximately eight feet of water in the basin while crews and contractors work to assess and repair the affected sewer main.
City officials said the wastewater line is located below the inlet and expressed confidence that no untreated wastewater entered the river. While some recreational activities have been temporarily suspended, officials expect repairs to be completed before upcoming events scheduled along the waterway. No timeline for the work has been announced.
Related News
From Archive
- Oil pipeline struck during fiber optic construction spills into L.A. storm drains
- Fiber drilling strike triggers major sewer failure, lawsuits in Florida
- Utility strike at center of Dallas explosion investigation
- $1 billion Ohio River Tunnel project awarded in Pittsburgh
- Las Vegas advances multibillion-dollar water pipeline expansion
- Final Lake Erie sewer tunnel project set to begin after decades-long $3 billion effort
- Inside Infrastructure: Utility locators warn of systemic failures in damage prevention process
- Senate passes PIPELINE Safety Act aimed at strengthening buried utility protection
- $104 million Lynchburg, Va., tunnel nears breakthrough beneath Blackwater Creek
Comments