Raw Sewage Dumped At Darien's St. John Cemetery, Police Say

DARIEN, CT — Raw sewage was found dumped by the river behind St. John Cemetery in Darien this month, and local police are asking for the public's help to find the culprit.

The discovery was reported on May 23, and members of the Noroton Heights Fire Department placed a hazmat boom by the river bank in an attempt to contain the waste from polluting a large area in the water.

"The cemetery manager stated that sometime during the preceding week, an unknown person dumped a large amount of raw sewage material in the back of the cemetery by the river bank that runs along the west side of the property," wrote Darien police in a statement, adding that patrons could smell a strong, foul odor wafting from the rear of the mausoleum by the river.

What appeared to be truck tire marks were seen about 15 feet from where the sewage was dumped, "suggesting that a septic tanker had parked there and used a hose to disburse the sewage."

In addition to placing the boom in the river, the fire department also contacted the State Department of Energy & Environmental Protection about the spillage.

"Anyone with potential information on this incident is strongly encouraged to contact the Darien Police Department at 203-662- 5300."

Patch file photo