Residents are being urged not to swim in a Vermont creek after 150,000 gallons of sewage were accidentally discharged into it.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation said it was notified Friday of the release of untreated sewage into East Creek in Rutland. The seal on an abandoned sewer pipe that runs under East Creek at the West Street bridge apparently failed, resulting in the sewage release. State and city officials are at the scene investigating, and repair activities have been initiated.
The Vermont Department of Public Health has been notified, and said the potential for a health hazard exists.
People are urged to stay out of the water and not to swim in it or use it for recreational purposes from Rutland to Proctor for 48 hours after the release has been stopped.
East Creek empties into Otter Creek about a half mile downstream.
The affected portion of the river will be posted with signs warning the public of the potential health risks.
