Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release
March 30, 2007

HEAVY RAINS FRIDAY MORNING LEAD TO WASTEWATER BYPASSES

MEDIA CONTACTS: Jim Sievers at (319) 653-2135.

DES MOINES — Heavy rains around the state have led to a number of
wastewater bypasses, including bypasses from the cities of Wellsburg in
Grundy County, Forest City in Winnebago County, Ainsworth in Washington
County and Burlington in Des Moines County.

Amana Refrigeration in the Amana Colonies also had a bypass due to a
clogged sewer pipe line.

In addition to those bypasses, the city of West Liberty in Muscatine
County bypassed an estimated 156,000 gallons of untreated wastewater
from 8 to 10 a.m. on Friday. The city pumped wastewater to Wapsinonoc
Creek to avoid wastewater from backing up into basements.

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-


Karen Grimes
515-281-5135
[log in to unmask]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]

Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:
http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp

Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship
e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's
latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent
editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/