Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
 
For immediate release                                                                                 March 3, 2008 
 
SEWER MAIN BREAK IN OTTUMWA RESULTS IN BYPASSING TO DES MOINES RIVER
 
OTTUMWA — The main pipe to the Ottumwa wastewater treatment plant burst in early morning hours Sunday causing untreated sewage to be bypassed into the Des Moines River.
 
The broken 24-inch pipe has resulted in parts of the plant having to be shut down. Pumping was being done Monday morning to gain access to where the repair has to be made. Contractors are on the scene with heavy equipment to make the repairs once they have access. It was still undetermined Monday morning what caused the line to break and how long the repair might take.
 
The city of Ottumwa is asking residents to conserve water usage until the repair can be made to reduce flow in the system.
 
A fluctuating weather pattern could benefit both ends of the situation. The snow melt caused by Sunday’s warm weather helped dilute the sewage bypassed into the Des Moines River. Conversely, a return to colder temperatures on Monday reduced the snow melt and water flows providing better access to the area requiring repair, according Russell Royce, an environmental specialist with the DNR’s field office in Washington.
 
Media contact: Kevin Baskins, 515-281-8395.
 
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