Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
For immediate release Feb. 23, 2006

For more information, contact Kathy Lee, DNR Emergency Response, at (515)
725-0384.

VANDALS RELEASE WASTEWATER AT FORT ATKINSON TREATMENT PLANT

FORT ATKINSON * An unknown amount of wastewater has been released to the
Turkey River from the Fort Atkinson wastewater treatment plant after vandals
opened a valve.

"The discharge is partially treated wastewater from a lagoon," said Kathy
Lee, of the DNR's emergency response unit. "Since the ice is out, we wanted
anglers and other recreational users to be aware of the situation and to be
cautious if they are in contact with the water."

Lee suggested avoiding the river for a couple of days. She added that the
wastewater could be a concern from Fort Atkinson to Elkador, as the Turkey
River runs through  Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton Counties.

The open valve was discovered and closed by city workers at 3:10 p.m.
Thursday. DNR staff does not know how long the valve has been open or the
volume of the release since the lagoon is covered by ice.

The DNR and local officials will continue to investigate the incident.

- 30 -

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/