Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Environmental Services Division

For Immediate Release February 7, 2008

MECHANICAL PROBLEMS LEAD TO FAIRFIELD WASTEWATER DISCHARGE

MEDIA CONTACT: Russell Royce, DNR Washington field office, (319) 653-2135.

FAIRFIELD — Problems during maintenance work on a pump station have led to a wastewater discharge in Fairfield on Thursday.

The discharge of untreated wastewater from a manhole began around 8:45 Thursday morning. The city had scheduled maintenance work on a nearby pumping station for a time when there would be low flow levels in the sanitary sewer to avoid a discharge. However, problems during the maintenance work led to wastewater overflowing from the manhole.

The wastewater is flowing into an unnamed drainage ditch that leads to Cedar Creek. The city is trying to contain the wastewater in the ditch to prevent it from reaching Cedar Creek.

The city is repairing the pumping station. The discharge remains ongoing until that time. The city will also treat any contaminated areas.

Writer: Jessie Brown

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