Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release July 31,
2007

1. Two dead hogs dumped in drainage ditch west of Algona
2. Cracked sewer wall releases sewage in Ottumwa

TWO DEAD HOGS DUMPED IN DRAINAGE DITCH WEST OF ALGONA

MEDIA CONTACT: Michelle Johnson, Mason City field office at
641-425-1540, or Dr. David Schmitt, Acting State Veterinarian, Iowa
Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) at 515-281-8601.

ALGONA - Reports of hogs illegally dumped into a county drainage ditch
west of Algona led to DNR officials finding two dead market hogs
Monday.
 
A local farmer alerted DNR staff after discovering two hog carcasses in
a box culvert in a drainage ditch along 210th Street between 80th and
90th Avenues, located west of Algona.
 
Each carcass weighed approximately 260 pounds, and veterinarian
inspection found no tattoos.

“The lack of identification suggests the hogs are from a local
producer,” said Michelle Johnson, an environmental specialist in the
Mason City field office. “We encourage anyone with information on the
dumping of these hogs to contact the DNR.”

Wax stripes found on the hogs’ backs indicate both animals being
ready for sale.  It is believed the hogs died as a result of heat en
route to a market and consequently led to them being illegally dumped
into the drainage ditch. 

“Dead animals can be disposed of by rendering, composting, burying or
incinerating. This incident is an example of illegal dumping,” said
Johnson.

More information regarding properly disposing of dead animals may be
accessed at: www.iowadnr.gov/afo/disposal.html and
www.agriculture.state.ia.us/aiAdminRules.htm.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the DNR Mason City field
office at (641) 424-4073. The investigation into finding the responsible
party is ongoing.

Writer: Holly Williams

# # #

CRACKED SEWER WALL RELEASES SEWAGE IN OTTUMWA

MEDIA CONTACT: Jim Sievers at (319) 653-2135

OTTUMWA - A cracked sewer wall discovered Monday afternoon has sent an
unknown amount of raw sewage to the Des Moines River in Ottumwa.

Discovered around 3 p.m. Monday at the Market Street Box Sewer
location, it is unknown how long the sewer began releasing the untreated
wastewater to the river due to the crack being below water level.

First reports by treatment plant officials reported the discharge
flowing at approximately 50 to 100 gallons per minute. They were able to
temporarily patch the wall seam Monday afternoon, which slowed the flow
to less than one gallon per minute.
 
City crews worked to halt the flow, and had the discharge had stopped
by Tuesday morning.The city will be working on a permanent repair to the
wall for the next several days.

Ottumwa’s treatment plant will also be required to conduct water
tests for contaminants in the affected areas.

Ottumwa’s system is a combined sewer, where its sanitary and storm
sewers share the same pipes, mixing waste from homes and businesses with
rain and runoff.

The city is presently doing a large sewer separation project around its
south side which will separate the combined sewers.

There are nine Iowa cities, including Ottumwa, that have combined sewer
systems.

Writer: Holly Williams
-30-