BLOCKAGE OF SEWAGE LINE AT ALBRIGHT VISITOR CENTEROn Tuesday, May 23, 2000, at about mid-morning, a sewage blockage occurred in the lines outside the Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs in the northern portion of Yellowstone National Park, closing restroom facilities for a short time and partially flooding the basement where the park archives are located. Raw sewage (including gray water and some solids) entered through a basement drain that is located in the archive storage area. The sewage was discovered by an employee almost immediately and quick actions by park staff assured that none of the documents stored in the archives were damaged.
Park maintenance staff began an investigation into the cause of the blockage and discovered the sewage pipe leading from the building had been blocked by items flushed down a toilet. At some point, a pair of men's shorts and a diaper were caught IN the pipe system and caused sewage to back up in the line. They were able to clear the line and return to normal operations by Thursday afternoon.
The public restrooms in the visitor center were closed from Tuesday until Thursday afternoon. During the closure, visitors were asked to use the restrooms at nearby concession facilities. Cleanup of the basement has occurred.
