Image description: Crews from the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati use equipment along a creek bank.
Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati (MSD) are actively responding to a sewage discharge in Anderson Township.
The sewage discharge was observed in Dry Run Creek along State Rt. 32 near 8 Mile Road. HCPH and MSD were notified about the situation on June 24, and both agencies began investigating according to protocol. Heavy flows in the creek had eroded the banks and damaged sewer infrastructure.
Since then, MSD has temporarily diverted and stopped the sewage discharge and is actively developing a permanent solution. HCPH continues to partner with MSD and other agencies to monitor the situation.
Out of an abundance of caution, residents and pets are advised to avoid contact with Dry Run Creek because exposure to contaminated water may cause illness.
“The safety and health of Hamilton County residents and visitors is a top priority for all agencies involved,” says Craig Davidson, assistant health commissioner for environmental health services at Hamilton County Public Health. “We’re grateful to collaborate with a partner like MSD, who continues to make capital improvements to the region’s public sewer system in order to keep Hamilton County residents, workers and visitors safe.”
What residents can do to reduce health risks
- Do not swim, boat or play in or near potentially contaminated waterways.
- Avoid letting bare skin come into contact with contaminated water.
- Wash hands, clothing and footwear thoroughly if you need to be in these areas.
- Check MSD’s CSO (combined sewer overflow) map for active or suspected discharges, or call 513-244-1300 with questions.
- Call HCPH at 513-946-7000 if you see sewage issues, or learn about our water quality programs online.
Knowing how to prevent the spread of germs in recreational water can help keep summer fun safe for everyone. Get more pool and water safety tips in our recent water safety story and download our E. coli and Cryptosporidium (“Crypto”) fact sheets to learn more about germs that can be found in pools and in recreational waters.
Published on 7/15/2026