Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release                                                 
August 21, 2007

1. DNR issues boil order for Poweshiek customers in Benton County
2. Cities continue to report bypasses following rainstorms

DNR ISSUES BOIL ORDER FOR POWESHIEK RURAL WATER CUSTOMERS IN BENTON COUNTY

MEDIA CONTACTS: Mike Wade at DNR at (563) 927-2640 or (563) 920-1738; or Matt Tapken with Poweshiek Rural Water Supply at (641) 891-7124.

BENTON COUNTY -- The DNR has issued a boil order for all Benton County
customers of the Poweshiek Rural Water Supply after a break in a 16-inch
force main.

The order affects the cities of Van Horne and Norway, along with rural
customers. Customers in Tama County are not affected. And, although the
break occurred only a few miles from the main pumping station for Cedar
Rapids, the boil order will not affect Cedar Rapids. 

Boiling destroys bacteria present in the water. Water should be brought
to a boil, boiled one minute and then allowed to cool before using. More
information on disinfecting water is available on the EPA Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

The force main break in Eldorado Township has caused a loss in pressure
to the raised water storage system, causing very low pressure in water
supply lines. Customers who are experiencing low pressure should call
Matt Tapken at Poweshiek Rural Water Supply, (641) 891-7124, to help the
water supply identify areas to test for bacteria.

The water supply plans to fix the leak, repressurize the water lines
and sample the water for bacteria. Water should be boiled until the DNR
notifies people that water samples show the water is safe to drink.

# # #
CITIES CONTINUE TO REPORT BYPASSES FOLLOWING RAINSTORMS

NOTE TO EDITORS: This is an update to the bypass news release that was
issued August 20.
 
MEDIA CONTACT: Kevin Baskins at (515) 281-8395.

DES MOINES - The following cities reported wastewater bypasses to the
DNR after heavy rainfall across northern Iowa this weekend and Monday
night:

Black Hawk County
Waterloo: The City of Waterloo bypassed more than 200,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater from three locations off and on throughout the day
Monday. The wastewater reached the Cedar River and tributaries of the
river.

Calhoun County
Pomeroy: The City of Pomeroy began an ongoing bypass at noon on Tuesday after heavy rains overwhelmed the wastewater collection system. The city is pumping wastewater from a manhole on Center Street to a road ditch to reduce the number of wastewater backups in basements. The wastewater is not expected to reach a water of the state.

Emmet County
Armstrong: The City of Armstrong bypassed about 1,000 gallons of
untreated wastewater to the East Fork of the Des Moines River from 7
a.m. To 10 a.m. Monday. The bypass occurred after three days of rainfall
overloaded a lift station’s capacity.

Franklin County
Hampton: The City of Hampton has bypassed a total of 560,000 gallons of
wastewater to Squaw Creek, which flows to the West Fork Cedar River. The ongoing bypass from two manholes and its wastewater treatment plant
began at 6 p.m. Sunday. The bypass from the manholes ended at 6 p.m.
Monday, but the city continues to bypass from its treatment plant. This
is an update from an initial report on Monday.

Latimer: The City of Latimer bypassed an additional 27,000 gallons of
wastewater from its Oak Street lift station to a corn field from 4 p.m.
to 8:30 p.m. Monday. This is in addition to a previously reported bypass
that occurred Sunday evening.

Grundy County:
Dike: The City of Dike ceased bypassing at 4 p.m. Monday. The city
bypassed about 6,000 gallons of wastewater to Dike’s storm water
system, which discharges without treatment to North Fork Black Hawk
Creek, since 8 a.m. Monday. This is an update from an initial report on
Monday.

Hamilton County
Williams: The City of Williams bypassed 108,000 gallons of wastewater
from a manhole to a drainage ditch from 11:30 p.m. Monday to 5:00 a.m.
Tuesday. This is in addition to two previously reported bypasses that
occurred this weekend.

Tama County
Gladbrook: The City of Gladbrook bypassed an estimated 25,000 to 30,000
gallons of wastewater to Wolf Creek from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Tuesday.

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Karen Grimes
515-281-5135
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