Iowa Department of Natural ResourcesEnvironmental Services Division For Immediate Release August 31, 2007 DNR INVESTIGATING MONONA COUNTY FISH KILL; NEARBY RESIDENTS SHOULDAVOID PRIVATE WELL WATER MEDIA CONTACT: Matt Rhodes at (712) 250-0217 or Dan Stipe at (712)243-1934. WHITING — The DNR issued a drinking water warning to some residentseast of Whiting in Monona County on Friday. The warning comes as DNR officials are investigating a fish kill inGarretson Outlet Ditch, a tributary of the West Branch of the LittleSioux River. The kill, first reported to the DNR Thursday evening,occurred at the same time chemical spraying was taking place in theditch. A contractor hired by Monona County was applying an aquaticherbicide used to kill undesirable plants in the water. The DNR istaking water samples to determine if the spraying played a role in thefish kill. The spraying may have seeped through the streambanks into groundwater,potentially contaminating private drinking water wells in the area. As aprecaution, the DNR is advising residents within 500 feet of GarretsonOutlet Ditch that use private wells to not drink the water or use it forfood preparation, brushing teeth or other consumptive uses. In thissituation, boiling the water will not make it safe. The DNR estimatesthis warning affects about six homes. Private well water and stream water should not be used for livestock orpets. Producers should also keep livestock out of the stream from thefish kill site to where the stream meets the West Fork Little SiouxRiver. The DNR is gathering water samples from both the stream and privatewells in the affected area and expects test results within 48 hours.Monona County Emergency Management is working on providing drinkingwater to the affected homes. The DNR stopped the spraying until it can determine a cause of the fishkill. As fish were still dying on Friday afternoon, the DNR plans toconduct an official fish count on Saturday. On Friday, DNR fisheriesstaff observed thousands of dead carp, bullheads, green sunfish andshiners. It is not known at this time if the spraying led to the fishkill. As of Thursday night, the kill stretched along five miles of thestream. According to DNR fisheries staff, the fish kill will likelycontinue for several days. People should avoid the area until the fishkill ends. Writer: Jessie Brown -30- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 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