Sanitary District: 3,600 Gallon Sewage Spill Probably Went Into Sleepy Hollow Creek

Roughly two months after a sewage smell was first reported in San Anselmo, Ross Valley Sanitary District crews discovered a leak that has released an estimated 3,600 gallons of sewage that probably all flowed into Sleepy Hollow Creek near Drake High School.  

The spill site is roughly half a mile from where the creek enters San Anselmo Creek.  San Anselmo Creek drains into Corte Madera Creek which empties into the bay just south of the Larkspur ferry landing.

The leak dates back to at least Jan. 26, when someone reported smelling sewage near a Sleepy Hollow Creek bridge at 45 Mountain View Avenue.

Ross Valley Sanitary District Crews responded and investigated the smell on Jan. 28, but couldn’t find a source.  

The Ross Valley Sanitary District serves Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Greenbrae and Larkspur.

The San Anselmo Public Works Director Sean Condry called district officials on March 21 and reported a sewage smell under the bridge at the same address. District crews responded but couldn’t determine the odor source, even after pouring non-toxic dye into the upstream sewer manholes and waiting to see if it appeared in the creek or on the ground surface.

District crews returned to the site on March 26, at 11 a.m., to continue the investigation. After water pooled under the bridge tested positive for sewage, crews found the source of the leak after cleaning and inspecting a nearby sewer line and sewer siphon. According to a district report, the sewage was “very likely entering the creek” and officials estimate 3,600 gallons of sewage was spilled in the last 60 days. The amount of spill is subject to revision as the investigation continues, according to district officials. 

Crews spent the rest of the day repairing “two severe defects” in an upstream clay pipe and manhole, according to a district report of the spill, which is attached to this article as a PDF. Signs have been posted in the area, according to the district. 

RVSD encourages all Ross Valley residents to call the RVSD office at (415) 259-2949 if they see, smell, or hear water coming out of manholes or pipelines.

Did you smell sewage in the area recently? Tell us in the comments!

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