Iowa DNR News
Environmental Services Division
WASTEWATER DISCHARGE HAS BEEN ONGOING IN ELKADER
MEDIA CONTACT: Mike Wade at (563) 927-2640
ELKADER – Clayton County has had a small ongoing wastewater discharge flowing to a drainage ditch that enters the Turkey River in Elkader.
County officials believe the discharge may have begun when a two-inch force main was damaged about two weeks ago during the installation of a fiber optic line. The discharge is located near county offices.
The amount of the discharge is unknown, but is estimated at less than 500 gallons per day when the offices are open for business. The untreated wastewater flowed about 75 feet and then entered the river near a canoe launch site.
On Wednesday morning, the DNR required the county to prevent further discharges by shutting down the pumping station until the force main is repaired.
The DNR will be issuing a notice of violation for failure to report the discharge within 12 hours and for a prohibited discharge.
Writer: Karen Grimes
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TOWEL IN SEWER LINE LEADS TO STANTON WASTEWATER DISCHARGE
MEDIA CONTACT: Kirk Mathis at (712) 243-1934.
STANTON — An estimated 200 to 300 gallons of untreated wastewater reached the Tarkio River Wednesday when a Stanton sewer pump became plugged.
City of Stanton staff discovered the plugged pump at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday and turned on a second pump so they could work on the first pump. Wastewater overflowed the pumping station briefly until the second pump caught up, ending the discharge at 8:05 a.m. Staff discovered and removed a towel that was plugging the first pump.
The pump station is located at 408 Concorde St. on the west side of Stanton. The city has applied lime to disinfect the area, but people should avoid the immediate area for 48 hours.
Writer: Jess Brown
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