Clean Lakes Alliance is aware of and deeply concerned about the recent sanitary sewer failure reported by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District and local news outlets. It is our current understanding that the incident resulted in an estimated 6 million gallons of untreated wastewater to enter the Nine Springs wetland and, potentially, reaching Nine Springs Creek which flows into Lake Waubesa. Based on information made available to date, the spill occurred over a 10-day period (August 13 – 23, 2025).
According to the District, the incident was caused by a cracked pipe in a restricted wetland area on the grounds of the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant, adjacent to the Capital Springs State Trail. While the area is not open to the public, heavy rains earlier in August may have contributed to the failure and delayed detection. A temporary repair was completed by midday on Saturday, August 23, and the trail was reopened later that day.
The District has stated that actions taken included:
- Discontinuing wastewater flow through the pipe to stop the overflow
- Pumping contaminated water back to the treatment plant
- Blocking flow through Nine Springs Creek to prevent downstream movement
- Daily lab sampling and monitoring of creek health
- Notification of Public Health Madison Dane County and the Wisconsin DNR
While we appreciate the District’s quick response and mitigation measures, this incident underscores the need for continued investment in infrastructure, proactive monitoring, and resilience planning to prevent future spills, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
The Clean Lakes Alliance Community Board will receive a full, in-person update from Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District in the coming days. Meanwhile, we will continue to monitor developments closely, advocate for strong environmental safeguards, and work with partners and the community to ensure our lakes and connected waterways are protected today and for future generations.
