In past year, slew of sewage spilled into Missouri water

KANSAS CITY — Large amounts of raw sewage are spilling into Missouri waterways when it rains, contributing to sometimes dangerous bacteria levels.

Data from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources show that hundreds of millions of gallons of raw sewage have spilled into Missouri's waterways in the past year.

Department spokesman Travis Ford told The Kansas City Star that the agency is conducting an internal investigation into its own procedures because of concerns about the risk to human health.

The handling of E. coli problems at the Lake of the Ozarks have generated attention. But other lakes also have been affected.

Over the last two years, water quality officials have recommended closing state beaches at nine lakes besides the Lake of the Ozarks.