Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Services Division
For Immediate Release
June 20, 2008
DNR ISSUES EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONS FOR WASTEWATER DISPOSAL FOLLOWING HISTORIC FLOODS
MEDIA CONTACT: Chuck Corell, DNR Water Quality, at (515) 281-4582 or [log in to unmask].
DES MOINES — As the historic floods of 2008 have swept through the state, they have damaged and shut down many wastewater treatment plants in Iowa communities. In response, the DNR is issuing special authorizations regarding wastewater construction permits and wastewater disposal.
“We recognize the extraordinary and catastrophic circumstances that recent storms and flooding have created for Iowa communities, especially on their wastewater treatment facilities,” said DNR Director Richard Leopold. “We also recognize the challenges that this can create for public health and the environment, and we’re working with cities to help them do what’s in the best interest of their community.”
The DNR is issuing two authorizations regarding wastewater: a wastewater treatment flood recovery authorization, and an authorization regarding construction, installation or modification of a wastewater disposal system. The authorizations are in effect for 90 days or until a facility is operating normally.
The two authorizations apply only to wastewater treatment facilities and industries that send wastewater to those plants that were damaged and flooded in June. The facility must also be in a county declared a disaster area by the President of the United States. Currently, 42 counties are covered by a presidential disaster declaration.
“Wastewater treatment facilities will be required to treat wastewater to the highest extent possible as damaged structures, equipment and flooding will permit,” said Chuck Corell, head of the DNR’s water quality bureau. “Facilities also need to notify their DNR field office of damage and flooding affecting the plant, as well as things happening at the plant that would normally be violations.”
Those violations may include bypassing treatment units, discharging from the collection system (sewers and pumping stations) or exceeding permit limits for discharge.
Facilities with flooded controlled discharge lagoons may pump or discharge from the lagoons as needed to protect the lagoon’s structural integrity and provide room for expected flows during the summer. The discharge to a stream should happen while stream levels are still high to reduce environmental impacts. The facility must still collect water samples of the discharge.
Industries that send wastewater to a community treatment plant should work with the city to prevent overloading of the plant or flooding caused by backups. If the plant can not accept an industry’s wastewater, the industry must contact the DNR to find out if discharging directly to a stream, while providing the most treatment possible, would have lesser environmental impacts than discharging to a treatment plant that is not fully operational.
The second authorization allows owners of wastewater disposal systems to make emergency or permanent repairs, or to provide alternative wastewater treatment, without a construction permit. The repairs must correct or compensate for physical damage that was a result from storms or flooding, and must be documented for future reference. Long-term construction not emergency related must comply with normal permitting requirements.
Disposal systems included in the authorization are sewer systems, treatment works, pumping stations, holding basins, outfall pipes, dispersal systems and systems that dispose of sewage sludge.
The DNR can provide guidance to communities regarding the authorizations. They can contact Wayne Farrand at (515) 281-8877 regarding construction permits and their local field office regarding wastewater treatment.
DNR environmental field offices include:
Copies of the authorizations are also available on the DNR’s Web site at www.iowadnr.gov/flood.html.
-30-