Manhole covers problem in floods

The Clark County Sanitation District is locking manhole covers to prevent floodwaters from overwhelming its treatment plant, Director James Gans said.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection could fine the sanitation district up to $25,000 a day for each of two violations after a July 20 storm dumped treated and raw sewage into the Las Vegas Wash.

The wash drains the entire valley and contributes to the Las Vegas Valley's drinking water drawn six miles downstream.

During flash floods, sewer pipes become overwhelmed and manhole covers pop off allowing contaminated water into the wash, Gans said.

During the July 20 storm, coliforms, indicating disease-causing bacteria, jumped to 240,000 cells per 100 milliliters in the wash.

Instead of waiting for the state to announce penalties for the spills, Gans said the county began to correct the problems immediately. Manhole covers in flood pathways that are not paved roads will be raised to prevent contaminated water from entering the pipes, Gans said.

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