Sedona creek takes on another 2,700 gallons of raw sewage

Sedona city officials reported that 2,700 gallons of untreated sewage flowed into Oak Creek near Bear Wallow Lane on Sunday. The spill began at approximately 9:45 a.m. when heavy rainfall exceeded the capacity of the local pump station.

The Bear Wallow Pump Station could not process the incoming volume of water fast enough. Pumper trucks arrived on site to assist with the overflow. Normal operations at the station resumed by 11:15 a.m.

This incident marks the second major sewage entry into Oak Creek within seven days. Last Sunday, between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons of wastewater entered the creek. Officials contained that earlier spill within two hours and disinfected the affected area. Crews traced the previous issue to a grease clog at a restaurant that forced wastewater from a manhole into a storm drain.

City officials did not send notifications to residents during the Sunday spill because active evacuations were underway. Water quality sampling has not yet taken place due to safety concerns.

The creek now contains two separate inputs of raw wastewater from this week's weather events. The city will conduct further testing once conditions allow.