For immediate release May 16, 2008

ANIMAL CONFINEMENT HAS DISCHARGE TO SOUTHEAST IOWA STREAM

MEDIA CONTACT: Paul Brandt at (319) 653-2135 or [log in to unmask]

PACKWOOD – An accidental flip of the switch left pumps running all night in a hog confinement north of Packwood in Jefferson County, causing a manure discharge from the facility.

Owner Jim Yule said that a crew was cleaning the building Thursday and thought they had shut everything down when they left. However, the crew had turned on a recirculation pump, which pulled liquid from a manure storage lagoon into the below-building pits. During the night, the manure mix from the shallow pits under the building overflowed.

Yule called the DNR at 7:30 a.m. Friday when he discovered the discharge, which flowed through a series of drainage ditches and unnamed streams towards Richland Creek.

The DNR has environmental specialists and fisheries staff on site. Ammonia levels in were elevated and staff had noted a few dead fish. Fisheries staff was investigating and preparing to do a count.

Yule has hired a contractor to block drainage near the facility and is working with the DNR to dam up a small stream so that some manure can be contained and recovered.

The amount and extent of the spill are unknown. DNR staff will continue to investigate, take water samples and aide in recovery.

The DNR may take appropriate enforcement action.

Writer: Karen Grimes

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