Sewer line damaged by heavy rains, sending sewage flow into Lenexa creek

A sewer line break near West 81st Street and Nieman Road in Lenexa sent sewage into a nearby creek, Johnson County officials said Wednesday night.

The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said the issue occurred after a 21-inch sewer line was damaged by heavy rain. The department issued a public health advisory to residents and businesses in the area.

The department said around 11 p.m. Wednesday that workers were on-site, and were pumping the flow around the break and back into the sewer. It’s unclear how much sewage made it into the creek.

The department advised people to not have contact with creek water in the area and to keep their pets from touching the water. The break did not affect the public water system, which they said is safe for use.

Signs will be posted, and workers will monitor water quality in the area, the department said.