Crews work to stop sanitary sewer leakage in Green Bay Feb. 13, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Crews have determined what led to a half dozen sanitary sewer leaks in downtown Green Bay.
Last Thursday, an estimated 8,560 gallons of wastewater were released. Of that, about 2,200 gallons entered the storm sewer system or the East River. Cleanup was conducted the next day.
Since then, NEW Water has been working to investigate the cause of the leaks. Officials announced their conclusion Thursday:
At the time of the leaks, the temporary conveyance system was out of service and being readied for additional work on the project. During those efforts, a portion of wastewater backflowed through valves that had been opened to prevent freezing damage.
Preventative measures are currently being implemented, including having the contractor perform additional checks on the system. This includes having personnel located at each valve location along the bypass system and walking the length of the piping to do a visual inspection. They will also perform a pressure test of the system for leaks, as well as verify the condition and functionality of each valve.
No further issues have been detected.
The leak was associated with an ongoing sewer project by NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District. It will help ensure that “our community can continue to flush the toilet, wash their hands, and run their businesses whenever they want.”
NEW Water owns and operates miles of underground pipes — including a series of larger, deeper pipes called an interceptor system — located throughout Northeast Wisconsin. In downtown Green Bay, portions of this system have been in operation for nearly 100 years “and are in need of improvements in order to revitalize critical, aging infrastructure to protect public health and the environment.”
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