Sewer line break dumps untreated wastewater into Winooski River, Lake Champlain

July 12, 2023

While officials say some of the wastewater has been diverted back to the treatment plant, 10% of the city’s wastewater is still entering the river.

A sewer pipe that crosses beneath the Winooski River broke on Wednesday morning and is dumping about 10% of Burlington’s wastewater flow into the flooded river, which will ultimately reach Lake Champlain, according to city officials.

Burlington Public Works Director Chapin Spencer said in an interview that crews have been unable to repair the broken pipe due to dangerously high water levels.

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