Sewage bypasses being investigated in Boone and Randolph counties

COLUMBIA — Sewage bypasses discharging sludge and untreated waste in Boone and Randolph counties are being investigated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources after they were reported late Monday morning.

Officials from the Boone County Sewer District reported a discharge of sludge from the Clearview wastewater treatment plant. According to a news release, a malfunction at the plant located in northeast Columbia caused the release of sludge into a tributary of Rock Fork Creek. As of Tuesday, it was not known if any sludge from the spill is present in Rocky Fork Creek. No one was available for comment Wednesday as the office was closed for Veterans Day.

City officials in Moberly notified the Missouri Department of Natural Resources late Monday morning of a separate spill that had occurred Saturday evening.

According to a news release, untreated water and carbon sludge believed to be from routine cleaning of filters at the drinking water plant escaped through a blocked sewer line.

Some of the sludge reached nearby Rothwell Lake. According to the release, plants and animals in the lake didn't appear harmed. The City of Moberly Parks and Recreation could not be reached Wednesday.