IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
April 5, 2007
For immediate release

1. Grundy Center slow to report wastewater bypass caused by plugged pump

GRUNDY CENTER SLOW TO REPORT WASTEWATER BYPASS CAUSED BY PLUGGED PUMP

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Vansteenburg at (641) 424-4073.

GRUNDY CENTER — A mechanical failure sent about 54,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater into Black Hawk Creek near Grundy Center Tuesday
and Wednesday.

After a sewage pump plugged and a remaining pump could not keep up with
the flow, the City of Grundy Center bypassed its treatment plant and
sent wastewater from its storm flow retention basin to the creek.

The bypass began Tuesday at 4 p.m. and stopped at 1 a.m. Wednesday, but
the city did not report the bypass to the DNR until Thursday morning.
Facilities are required to report bypasses caused by mechanical failures
to the DNR within 12 hours of onset or discovery. Bypasses stemming from
precipitation events do not need to be reported immediately, but must be
included on the facility’s monthly operating report to the DNR.

The DNR will issue a notice of violation for failure to timely report
the bypass.

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