Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
 
For immediate release                                                                                   Oct. 15, 2007 
 
1.      Riverton Area to be closed for duck opener
2.      Heavy rainfall causes bypasses in Southwest Iowa
 
FLOODING CLOSES RIVERTON AREA FOR DUCK OPENER ON SATURDAY
 
RIVERTON – The Riverton Wildlife Area in Fremont County will be inaccessible for hunting when the duck season opens on Saturday.
 
Torrential rainfall in southwest Iowa was over County Road J-46 on Monday as well as other roads used to access the approximately 2,700 acre wildlife complex at Riverton.
 
“By noon (Monday), the walk-in area at Riverton was under 10 feet of water and it had not crested yet,” according to DNR Biologist Carl Priebe.
 
The Riverton area was expected to be used by at least 200 to 250 waterfowl hunters this weekend had it not been for the flooding.
 
No other wildlife areas in southwest Iowa have reported being inaccessible due to flooding, according to DNR Wildlife Supervisor Angi Bruce.
 
Writer: Kevin Baskins
 
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HEAVY RAINFALL OVERWHELMS WASTEWATER SYSTEMS IN SOUTHWEST IOWA
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Kirk Mathis at (712) 243-1934. 
 
DES MOINES - Heavy rainfall this weekend has led a number of communities to report wastewater bypasses to the DNR Monday. 
 
Heavy rain can overload wastewater collection systems, which are underground sewer pipes that carry sewage to a treatment plant. Aging or poorly maintained sanitary sewer systems are particularly vulnerable to influxes of storm water. With sewage pipes overwhelmed, excess water has nowhere to go, and can backup into basements through floor drains. Bypassing can lower the water level in the collection system, keeping sewage from backing up into basements, which would present health risks. 
 
These types of situations can occur when large amounts of rainwater or snowmelt, also called storm water, enter a sanitary sewer from cracks in sewer pipes. Sewer system upgrades can fix cracked pipes and minimize storm water entering the sanitary sewer system. However, like other infrastructure upgrades, repairs are costly and often take years to complete. 
 
Storm water runoff can also enter the sanitary sewer through improper connections, such as roof drains or sump pumps hooked up to the sanitary sewer system instead of the storm water system. The storm water should enter the storm sewer system and flow directly into a stream or lake. When storm water enters the sanitary sewer system, the volume of water can overwhelm the wastewater treatment system. 
 
"Communities need to check for sources of storm water getting into the system, and work with homes and businesses to disconnect storm water sources from the sanitary sewer, as well as inspecting their sewage pipes," said Dennis Ostwinkle, head of the DNR's Washington field office and wastewater compliance coordinator. 
 
Facilities are required to report bypasses caused by mechanical failures to the DNR within 12 hours of onset or discovery. Facilities do not have to immediately report bypasses from precipitation events, but must include them in their monthly operating report to the DNR. 
 
While many collection systems in Iowa already have or are in the process of upgrading their collection systems to handle these events, many more need to upgrade. 
The DNR tracks bypass reports submitted by facilities and follows up with the facility to determine problems and help them upgrade their systems, although it can be a long-term process. The DNR has also formed a committee to discuss how it handles wet weather bypasses. 
 
Precipitation-related environmental incidents that have been reported to the DNR as of 2:30 p.m. Monday include: 
 
Adair County
 
Adair: The City of Adair began ongoing bypasses of untreated wastewater at about 8 p.m. Sunday after excessive rainfall. An unknown amount of wastewater is flowing to a tributary of the South Fork of the Middle River from three different locations.  The bypasses are located at the main lift station of the west side of town, the treatment plant headworks and the south lift station near Tallman Street. Residents should keep children and pets out of these areas. 
 
Bridgewater: The Southwest Iowa Regional Water Association began bypassing an unknown amount of untreated wastewater early Monday morning in the City of Bridgewater. The city received more than four inches of rainfall Sunday and needs new  impellers on the pumps. The ongoing bypass is flowing into the West Fork of the Middle Nodaway River. The association plans to replace the lift station. The DNR will check on the adequacy of the lift station.
 
Stuart: The City of Stuart began bypassing partially treated wastewater sometime Sunday morning after more than three inches of rain over the weekend. An estimated 140,000 gallons per day is missing the primary treatment but receiving partial treatment before flowing into Long Branch Creek which flows to Diamondhead Lake.  
 
Cass County  
Atlantic: The City of Atlantic began an ongoing bypass at about 6 a.m. Sunday after receiving more than six inches of rain in 24 hours. Untreated wastewater was discharged from the Second Street main until about 10:15 a.m. The amount of the bypass to the East Nishnabotna River is unknown. Children and pets should stay out of the area.  
 
Cumberland: The City of Cumberland began discharging untreated wastewater at about 5:30 a.m. Monday after excessive rainfall overfilled the sanitary sewer. The city has an ongoing discharge of 300,000 to 400,000 gallons per day to Hoyts Branch which flows into Seven Mile Creek. The discharge is from the control manhole located just above the lagoon. Residents should keep children and pets away from any discharge.   
 
Griswold: The City of Griswold began bypassing about 9:30 p.m. to the East Nishnabotna River after five inches of rainfall fell in three hours Sunday evening. The bypass of approximately 280 gallons per minute of untreated wastewater is ongoing at the intersection of Second and Mills Street. If this bypass is not enough to prevent sewage from backing up into people’s basements, the city will begin bypassing at the corner of Seventh and Cass Streets. Residents should make sure children and pets avoid the area of discharge. 
 
Montgomery County
Red Oak: The City of Red Oak began discharging an unknown amount of untreated wastewater from five locations in the city at about 8:15 a.m. Monday. Discharges are being pumped from four manholes to prevent sewage backing up into people’s basements. Another discharge is ongoing at the basin designed to collect and hold excess storm water. The wastewater is flowing through drainage ditches to the East Nishnabotna River. The city may have to bypass from the main lift station if rainfall doesn’t end soon. 
 
Stanton: The City of Stanton began bypassing about 8:30 p.m. Sunday after about 5.5 inches of rain fell, overwhelming the collection system. The city estimated about 130,000 gallons per day were discharging from the main lift station and flowing to the Tarkio River. The discharge is expected to end as ground water becomes less saturated. The DNR will be working with the city to determine if the lift station is adequate. 
 
Union County
Creston: The City of Creston began bypassing into Hurley Creek at approximately noon on Sunday. After receiving more than three inches of rain on Sunday, the city collection system could not keep up. The bypass of about 550 gallons per minute is ongoing at Summit Street between Cedar and Chestnut. Residents should keep children and pets away from the area of the discharge.
 
Writer: Karen Grimes
 
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