CONTAMINATED WATER FROM TRUCK STOP REACHES WALNUT CREEK
Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:18:52 -0600
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Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release
March 6, 2007

CONTAMINATED WATER FROM TRUCK STOP REACHES WALNUT CREEK

MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Baskins at (515) 249-2814.

CLIVE -- An open valve on a holding pond at the Flying J Truck Stop in
Clive sent water contaminated with petroleum to nearby Walnut Creek on
Monday.

The holding pond is designed to catch runoff from the truck stop's
parking lots, which includes rain and snow runoff and the gas and oil
that can wash in with it. The pond's filtration system, designed to
keep petroleum pollutants from reaching Walnut Creek, failed around 6
p.m. Monday. In addition, a discharge valve opened, releasing
contaminated water to the stream and creating a sheen and odor that
stretched as far as two miles downstream.

"This is a reminder that every wastewater facility needs to be
vigilant in maintaining and operating their pollution control
facilities, like this pond," said Charles Furrey, an environmental
specialist with the DNR's Des Moines field office. "Good maintenance
can help keep these types of spills from happening."

A citizen reported the odor Monday evening to the Clive Fire
Department. The fire department and City of Windsor Heights placed
absorbent booms in four locations along the creek to keep the
contamination from spreading. A contractor placed additional booms and
pads in the creek and began pumping contaminated water from the pond
around 11 p.m. Monday.

Walnut Creek is a tributary to the Raccoon River, which the Des Moines
Water Works occasionally uses as a source for drinking water. Water
Works is currently drawing its water from the Des Moines River.

The DNR will continue to investigate and may consider possible
enforcement action.

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