Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division

For immediate release	Feb. 10, 2006

DNR TESTING SHOWS PETROLEUM PRODUCT REACHED DAY CARE THROUGH PLASTIC PIPE

SHELBY * The DNR continued testing Friday to locate the source of 
underground
contamination that led to gasoline in a Shelby daycare's water supply.

Investigators found contamination in six out of seven soil borings that the 
DNR
drilled near the daycare. The DNR also found that the service connection 
between
the water main and the daycare was a plastic pipe, which gasoline can pass
through. Gasoline cannot pass through copper or cast iron pipe.

Water tests conducted by the city and confirmed by the DNR have shown 
petroleum
levels were isolated to a daycare center at 400 Station Street.

"Water is safe to drink throughout the city," said Matt Rhodes, an 
environmental
specialist with the Atlantic DNR field office. "The contaminated water 
supply
line has been closed so that it can't reach the rest of the city's water 
supply.
In addition, the DNR is working on securing emergency funding to replace the
water line as soon as possible."

Rhodes added that the daycare moved to another location in town.

The responsible party and source of the contamination has not been 
identified at
this time.

For more information, contact Dan Stipe or Matt Rhodes at (712) 243-1934 or
(712) 250-0217.

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