Wastewater pipe breaks in Post Falls

A pipe at the Post Falls wastewater treatment plant broke Friday, releasing about 150,000 gallons of treated and disinfected effluent into the ground over the weekend.

Public Works Superintendent Terry Werner said that the city has met with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and there are no immediate health concerns or effects on surrounding wells or the aquifer.

Crews found the leak Monday, which was in a 10-year-old pipe where the couplings had separated. The pipe contained wastewater that had already been treated and is of the quality that is released into the Spokane River.

The city will continue to monitor test results and work with the DEQ to evaluate any long-term risks.