Sewage leaking from UC Berkeley contaminated Strawberry Creek

At least it’s not green anymore

On November 7th, an accidental sewage leak contaminated Strawberry Creek, the beloved creek that runs through the UC Berkeley campus. City officials found the water to be visually clear, but still put up warning signs while they waited for their test results.

UC Berkeley reported the incident to California Department of Toxic Substances Control, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. EPA, Alameda County Health, Alameda County Environmental Health, Regional Water Quality Control Board, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, California Unified Program Agency (toxics management) and the city.

A blocked sewer line caused the leak (yuck!), says Berkeleyside.

The results, received November 10th, revealed that Strawberry Creek was in the clear.

This isn’t Strawberry Creek’s first appearance in the news – back in June it turned green from a dye used to check the pipes that feed into the stream.

Kate LaMont, a second year Math, Cognitive Science, and Computer Science major, said: “Strawberry Creek is a nice little stream to walk by on my way to class. I’m glad the creek is fine now, that’s gross.”

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