Sewage Leak Near Old Faithful

A million gallons of partially treated sewage has escaped a holding pond near Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park, with an undetermined amount flowing into a tributary of the Firehole River.

The liquid sewage had undergone primary treatment and was in one of seven percolation ponds when a bank enclosing the pond collapsed over the weekend. The pond had been full.

“A gusher? Apparently it was,” said park spokeswoman Marsha Karle.

The breach was discovered Monday morning and workers are repairing it now.

It is hard to tell how much of the sewage reached Iron Springs Creek, Karle said. The creek, which flows into the Firehole River, is about 300 yards from the percolation ponds.