While reconnecting and testing the new sewer main in State Route 179, according to city of Sedona Director of Wastewater Roxanne Holland, the new pipe was filled with sewage on Friday, March 4, which “unexpectedly flowed into the service lateral” at the Center for the New Age, and overflowed two toilets, spilling into a portion of the building.

The incident occurred during the early morning hours, while the building was not occupied, Holland said.

The overflow was confined to the building and did not impact nearby Oak Creek, she said.

According to staff at the business, the backup may have started around 3 a.m. was backing up sewage into the business for several hours when staff arrived. The building is partitioned and the spill affected the northernmost unit, but not the larger portion of the building on the south side.

City of Sedona crews mobilized a restoration company immediately to assist with the cleanup efforts, Holland said.

“While it’s unfortunate this happened in the first place, we want to make sure and take the opportunity to stress the importance of installing a backflow prevention device in buildings that have a drain that is lower in elevation than the nearest upstream sewer manhole to help prevent these types of backups from occurring,” Holland said. “The building did not have a backflow prevention device installed, which would have stopped the backup from entering the building.”

Staff estimated the damage to the building and merchandise could cost in the tens of thousands due to sewage contamination.

The State Route (SR) 179 Sewer Main Replacement Project: Phase 2 project consists of the removal and replacement of approximately 365 feet of sewer main along State Route 179, from the stopping point of Phase 1 through the Schnebly Hill roundabout. In addition to this work, approximately 400 feet of sewer main will be upgraded under the pedestrian bridge crossing Oak Creek, adjacent to SR179. Sewer work is scheduled to be complete by the end of February, with final paving happening later in the spring when temperatures allow.

On Dec. 17, the contractor stated via a press release, “both the city and contractor would like to assure the local community that precautionary measures are in place to prevent impacts to Oak Creek, and to minimize impacts to local businesses and the traveling public.”