Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release
March 2, 2007

POWER OUTAGE LEADS TO NEW ALBIN WASTEWATER BYPASS

MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Wade at (563) 927-2640

NEW ALBIN — A second round of winter storms in Iowa has caused more
power outages, leading to a wastewater bypass in New Albin.

Wastewater bypassed treatment at the wastewater plant in the Allamakee
County town following a power outage Friday morning. The wastewater
directly entered a polishing pond, which discharges to a backwater of
the Mississippi River. The city bypassed until about 2:30 Friday
afternoon, when power was restored.

Although bypassing sewage is never a desirable situation, it can
prevent sewage backup into homes and businesses, which can create a
greater risk to human health. Bypassing to a stream can help dilute the
wastewater, while sewage in basements would be undiluted.

-30-

Neila Seaman, MPA
Director
Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA  50310
[log in to unmask]
515-277-8868

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