City of Bloomington Utilities Assists Homeowners Association with Pond Clean Up

The City of Bloomington Utilities (CBU) is currently coordinating with the Gentry Estates Homeowners Association to remediate a stormwater retention pond located near the intersection of E Gentry Blvd and S State Rd 446. On November 9, CBU received a report of foul-smelling water near the corner of S Carlton Ct and E Gentry Blvd. Upon investigation, it was found that a force main had been struck by a fiber-optic contractor. Based on records kept in the City Engineering Department, the strike occurred on or about August 11, 2023, but apparently there was no indication of a leak at the time. CBU was able to repair the damaged force main on November 9.

On November 14, CBU received a report of dead fish surfacing in the retention pond downhill from the location of the strike. Prior to CBU’s repairs, the damaged force main had discharged an indeterminate quantity of sewage that had flowed into the pond. The spill was fatal to about 25-50 small fish, and may have adversely affected other plants and animals in the pond. CBU’s testing of the pond water on November 13 indicated high levels of E.Coli bacteria, which is a risk to human health and the environment. This Sanitary Sewer Overflow has been reported to Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM).

CBU is lending resources to the homeowners association which owns the pond to help prevent spreading of E.Coli to downstream water resources. A septic contractor has been deployed to pump contaminated water from the pond, and CBU staff will work to disinfect the soil and grass adjacent to the pond. CBU will conduct additional sampling to monitor progress. Members of the public are urged to avoid contact with the pond until the cleanup is complete.

“CBU is committed to stewarding our natural environment,” said CBU Director Vic Kelson. “We are grateful to the residents who brought this to our attention and we will work with them to keep contaminants out of our stormwater system and local watershed.”  

Bloomington has a municipal separate stormwater system (MS4) which is designed to prevent sanitary sewer water from entering the stormwater system and prevent stormwater from being sent to the wastewater treatment plants. Anything that flows into the storm drains will eventually end up in local ponds and creeks, and eventually to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Any unusual water flowing or standing unrelated to a rain event could indicate a main break and should be reported to CBU at 812-339-1444.