Untreated Sanitary Sewer Flow Leaks Into Marshfield's McMillan Creek

Thursday, November 9th, 2023 -- 10:50 AM

On morning of Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 the City of Marshfield Wastewater Division discovered a sanitary sewer leak in the force main that serves the north 1/3 of the City.

Work began immediately to make repairs to a 20” force main. City forces were able to make repairs and to stop the leak by 7:05 PM on Wednesday evening. It was estimated that this leak released approximately 950,000 gallons of untreated sanitary sewer flows  to surface waters of McMillan Creek (formerly known as Squaw Creek).

City forces along with several contracted waste haulers began immediately pumping water from McMillan Creek to contain and mitigate this sanitary sewer overflow. Water removed has been delivered to the City’s Wastewater treatment plant for proper treatment. City staff are continuing to work closely with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to properly collect and treat this sanitary sewer overflow.  

Until this clean up can be finalized we request the public to refrain from using McMillan Creek from its intersection with Becker Road to its intersection with Staad Road. Please note this was a release to  surface water only and this leak poses no hazard to the drinking water system within the City. 

If there are questions concerning related to this event, please contact the Public Works Department at  (715) 486 -2034 or the Wastewater Treatment Division at (715) 486-2007.  

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.