City Responds to New Sewer Overflow at Delaware Creek Following Arlington Collapse
Update June 6, 4 p.m.
The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department has issued a public health advisory for Swan Creek and its tributaries, including Heilman Ditch, from Eastgate Road to the Maumee River. The public health advisory for Delaware Creek remains in place. Residents are urged to avoid contact with the creek water until further notice.
Update June 5, 5 p.m.
Elevated levels of E coli were confirmed by water samples taken along Delaware Creek. The Toledo-Lucas County Health Department has issued a public health advisory to residents, urging them to avoid contact with the creek water. This advisory will be in place until further notice.
Original Notice June 5, 10:30 a.m.
The City of Toledo is responding to a newly identified sewer overflow into Delaware Creek near Delaware Creek Park, connected to the collapse of a major sewer interceptor on Arlington Avenue. City officials began investigating after receiving resident reports of a strong odor along the creek and discovered an overflowing manhole near 2520 Wildwood.
A partial collapse of the interceptor in early May caused similar overflows. The interceptor has now fully collapsed, blocking all flow through the 48-inch sanitary main.
“Now the system is under even more strain,” said Doug Stephens, Director of the Department of Public Utilities. “We’re currently using two small pumps to bypass as much flow as we can, but they are not enough to restore full function. Until permanent repairs are complete, we may see additional overflows, especially when it rains.”
To fully resolve the issue, the City has contracted Kokosing to lead emergency repairs on Arlington Avenue. Before a large bypass pump can be installed, utility relocation work must be completed.
“This is a complex repair, but we are moving as fast as safety and coordination will allow,” said Christy Soncrant, Commissioner of Engineering. “Columbia Gas is scheduled to complete their relocation work by June 27, and once that’s done, Kokosing will begin building a cofferdam that allows us to safely install the bypass shaft. That work is expected to begin the week of July 7.”
The sewer line is located 45 feet underground and 4 feet wide, making this an especially challenging repair. Crews will excavate to that depth and construct a watertight enclosure, or cofferdam, to enable safe installation of the bypass pumping shaft. Once the bypass system is operational, pressure in the sewer network will be significantly reduced and overflows are expected to cease. Until then, the City continues to monitor for additional issues.
“We began testing water quality in Delaware Creek yesterday and will be sampling in Swan Creek today,” said Abed Semaan, Commissioner of Environmental Services. “We’re looking at many indicators, but are closely monitoring for elevated levels of E. coli and other bacteria that could pose health risks. Crews wearing protective suits may be visible along the creeks—that’s a standard safety measure.”
Semaan noted that test results are expected later today and will be shared with the Ohio EPA and the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department, which will determine whether a public health advisory is necessary. In the meantime, residents are urged to avoid contact with water in or near the creek.
City officials emphasized their commitment to transparency and long-term resolution.
“We know this is frustrating—especially for those living near Delaware or Swan Creek, or along Arlington Avenue,” said Stephens. “Please know our teams are working as quickly as possible to put a permanent fix in place.”
Residents who see an overflowing manhole or experience water in the basement are urged to contact Engage Toledo at 419-936-2020, available 24 hours a day.
To subscribe to updates on the project, visit toledo.oh.gov/arlington.
