Placer County work crews are repairing a broken pipeline that spilled about 2,000 gallons of sewage into Auburn Ravine in Auburn today.
A resident reported the leak about 9:30 a.m. under Auburn Ravine Road near Dairy Road, and workers were still making repairs as of 5:15 p.m., according to county spokesman Mike Fitch.
The repairs were expected to be completed during the evening, Fitch said, adding that no drinking water supplies have been affected.
The cause of the break to the 12-inch sewer line is unknown, he said.
The pumps at a nearby lift station were shut down, and workers installed plugs in a storm drain line to keep additional sewage and water from seaping into the creek, he said.
Fitch said vacuum trucks were dispatched to suck up any sewage water accumulating near the stream.
The broken pipe is within Auburn's city limits, he said. However, the sewage pipe is used by Placer County to send raw sewage to a treatment plant on Joeger Road, he said.
Residents are being urged to stay out of Auburn Ravine. Owners of pets also are being told to keep their animals away from the water.
The repair work is being done by the county's Facility Services Department, and the cleanup is being overseen by the Placer's Environmental Health Division, Fitch said.
Call The Bee's Art Campos, (916) 773-2825.
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