A view of the temporary manhole that was created to plug the upstream sewage and begin bypass pumping. Thirteen large heavy-duty pumps were delivered from California, Texas, Utah, and New Mexico for bypass pumping. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

A panoramic view showing the temporary manhole and bypass pumps located near the sinkholes. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Another view of bypass pumps. Photo date September 13, 2002.

Source: Bob Buecher, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Part of the massive bypass pumping system that allowed the sinkholes to be drained and stopped release of sewage to the Santa Cruz River. The above-ground pipes carried approximately 32 million gallons of sewage each day from homes and businesses lying south of the ruptured line. Photo date September 16, 2002.

Source: Jaime Rivera, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

More bypass pumping. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Once bypass pumping was in place, clean-up of the Santa Cruz River began. Initially, Wastewater Management and Pima County Parks and Recreation employees raked and bagged a total of 24,680 pounds of sewage-contaminated debris from the Santa Cruz River over six consecutive days. These crews were eventually replaced by contracted workers who continued for an additional 18 days to clean up debris that consisted of toilet paper, human waste, discarded tires, towels, shopping carts, blankets, old clothing, and branches. As debris was cleared, the riverbed was disinfected with a hydrated lime slurry. When the river clean-up was complete, more than 351,180 pounds of debris and garbage had been raked, bagged and disposed of, and 1,962 tons of hydrated lime slurry had been tilled six to eight inches into 179,020 square feet of the river bottom. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Draining the eastern sinkhole after bypass pumping was in place. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Another view of workers draining the eastern sinkhole. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Workers begin removing the damaged sewer pipe. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

A panoramic view showing the massive cleanup project. When repairs to the sewer main were completed on October 4, 2002, 700 linear feet of 48-inch diameter pipe and five new manholes had been installed. Photo date September 26, 2002.

Source: Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.

Pima County Wastewater sponsored a celebration on December 4, 2002, after completion of the sinkhole repairs. This group photo shows many of the county workers and contractors who participated in the project.

Source: Hale Burrus/Jan McDonald, Pima County Wastewater Management Department.