Sedona’s Public Works Wastewater Division responded swiftly to a significant sewer spill on the evening of October 25, where an estimated 1,000 to 5,000 gallons of untreated liquid effluent were discharged into Oak Creek. The incident, which city wastewater staff were notified of at approximately 5:30 p.m., originated at 671 SR179 and was attributed to a restaurant grease clog. City personnel acted quickly to contain the discharge within two hours.
Upon receiving the notification, City Wastewater staff were immediately deployed to the specified area on SR179. Their prompt assessment at the location led to the determination that the spill’s genesis appeared to be a grease clog, likely from a restaurant. This obstruction ultimately caused the untreated liquid effluent—which is raw sewage—to bypass the wastewater system and instead flow directly out of a manhole. From there, the discharged material entered a storm drain system, which subsequently carried it into the waters of Oak Creek.
The swift action of the city’s wastewater personnel was critical in mitigating the environmental impact. Within two hours of the initial notification, specifically by approximately 7:30 p.m., city staff had successfully brought the flow of untreated liquid effluent to a complete halt, stopping the ongoing discharge into the storm drain and, by extension, Oak Creek. Following the containment efforts, the entire area affected by the spill was thoroughly disinfected by the responding crews to address any remaining contamination on the ground surface.
The full scope of the discharge into Oak Creek is currently under assessment, with city officials estimating the volume to be between 1,000 and 5,000 gallons of untreated liquid effluent. This range reflects the challenges in precise measurement during an emergency response, but provides an initial understanding of the scale of the incident.
In the wake of this event, the city of Sedona has promptly initiated comprehensive water quality tests. These tests are crucial for evaluating the specific impact on Oak Creek and ensuring public safety and environmental health. The city has committed to sharing the results of these critical water quality analyses with the community once they have been processed and become available.
Further community engagement measures are also underway. Starting at 7 a.m. on October 26, city staff were scheduled to begin the process of notifying all properties adjacent to the spill location about the incident. This direct communication aims to inform those most immediately affected by the event. Beyond direct notifications, the city has publicly stated its intention to maintain open communication channels and keep the wider community informed as any new or updated information regarding the spill, its investigation, and its potential long-term effects emerges. Residents are encouraged to monitor official city communications for these updates, reinforcing the city's commitment to transparency following this unforeseen environmental event.
