For immediate release: July 31, 2009

 

BIG SPIRIT LAKE WASTEWATER DISCHARGE SMALLER THAN FIRST ESTIMATED

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ken Hessenius, DNR Spencer field office at (712) 262-4177 or (712) 260-0926, or [log in to unmask] 

 

SPIRIT LAKE - A wastewater discharge to Big Spirit Lake on Wednesday was smaller than originally thought, according to the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District.

 

While the exact amount is unknown, the district estimates less than 100 gallons of wastewater reached Big Spirit Lake.

 

Fish caught in Big Spirit Lake are safe to eat, and bacteria levels are low at the lake's beaches.

 

DNR beach monitoring results from Orleans Beach (5) and Marble Beach (31) were both well below the limit at which the DNR issues a swimming advisory (235). Readings are measured in colony forming units of E. coli bacteria per 100 milliliters of water.

 

Swimmers and anglers should still follow normal precautions when recreating in any natural body of water. Swimmers and waders should rinse off and wash hands well after being in the water. While a fish's skin and scales protect it from bacteria, anglers should always properly clean and cook fish, no matter where the fish was caught.

 

The sanitary district stopped the discharge Wednesday, shortly after it discovered that an underground wastewater main broke. The district made repairs to the main Wednesday evening.

 

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