For immediate release: JAN. 21, 2010

 

1.      Power outages cause wastewater bypassing

2.      Confinement manure applicators should attend training by March 1

3.      Small spill goes to Mississippi River at Muscatine

 

POWER OUTAGES CAUSE WASTEWATER BYPASSING

 

MEDIA CONTACTS: Kirk Mathis at the Atlantic DNR field office for Brayton, at (712) 243-1934 or [log in to unmask] ; Jim Sievers at the Washington DNR field office for Fairfield, at (319) 653-2135 or [log in to unmask]; or Alison Manz at the Atlantic DNR field office for Audubon, at (712) 243-1934 or [log in to unmask];  

 

DES MOINES – Power outages have caused several cities to bypass untreated wastewater into local streams and rivers.

 

“Every few years we get a storm like this which reaffirms why state law requires design standards, ability to operate in an emergency and inspections for wastewater treatment plants,” said Dennis Ostwinkle, supervisor of the Washington DNR field office. “Lack of maintenance or replacement of pumps and generators, and failure to provide for a reliable alternate power source is the main reason cities don’t have emergency operating capacity when they need it.”

 

The town of Brayton in Audubon County is without power and has been bypassing to the East Nishnabotna River since about 7:45 a.m. Thursday morning. While the town has an emergency pump, it’s new and is not operating yet. The city staff estimates the quantity at about three gallons per minute. The DNR staff asked the city to take water samples at a pumping station, since ice prevents access to the river.

 

The city of Fairfield bypassed untreated wastewater to Crow Creek for about three hours Thursday morning, ending at 8:30 a.m. when power was restored to the treatment plant. The DNR field office has been working with Fairfield for several years to install backup power at the treatment plant. The city has committed to installing backup power equipment by the end of 2011.

 

The partial power outage in the city of Audubon continues Thursday. While the treatment plant is still operating on backup power, bypassing to Blue Grass Creek continues at a pumping station on the west side of town. Wastewater treatment staff does not know when power will be restored. The DNR has required water sampling and will require the city to provide emergency pumping capabilities.

 

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CONFINEMENT MANURE APPLICATORS SHOULD ATTEND TRAINING BEFORE MARCH 1

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Prier, MAC Coordinator, (712) 262‐4177 or [log in to unmask]

 

DES MOINES – Confinement site manure applicators should meet their annual training requirements in January or February at many county Iowa State University Extension offices.

 

“The training is a good reminder of state rules that applicators must follow, along with new information on winter land application of manure,” said Jeff Prier, DNR coordinator of the program.”

 

Most session are aimed at liquid manure application. However, several special sessions designed to meet the needs of dry manure handlers are scheduled in February.

 

“Confinement site applicators are required to take the annual training, even though their certificates are good for three years,” he added. “It’s also a good reminder of existing rules and safety tips, and a good update on any new rules.”

 

The deadline for expiring certificates is March 1. To avoid late fees, applicators whose certificates are expiring must complete the two‐hour training, and submit forms and fees to the DNR before that date. A $25 continuing education fee is charged.

 

Prier said even those who completed certification this fall must complete training in 2010. They should pre-register for the training sessions with the Extension office to ensure seating and adequate training materials.

 

Applicators can find contacts for registration and a list of counties where the training is available at www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/10macprogrampostcard.pdf.

 

Those applicators who cannot attend a training session should contact their local Extension office to schedule time to watch the videotape. Prier urges applicators to attend a live training if possible. “Videotapes of the training will not be available until mid‐February and many county Extension offices will not be able to accept walk‐ins,” he said.

 

Applicators who cannot schedule a training session can take a 50‐question exam. Contact the DNR field office most convenient to you to make an appointment, by calling:

• Northeast Iowa, Manchester, (563) 927‐2640.

• North Central Iowa, Mason City, (641) 424‐4073.

• Northwest Iowa, Spencer, (712) 262‐4177.

• Southwest Iowa, Atlantic, (712) 243‐1934.

• South Central Iowa, Des Moines, (515) 725‐0268.

• Southeast Iowa, Washington, (319) 653‐2135.

 

More information about the manure applicators certification program is available at www.iowadnr.gov/afo/appcert.html or http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.

 

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SMALL SPILL GOES TO MISSISSIPPI RIVER AT MUSCATINE

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jon Ryk, Washington DNR Field Office, at (319) 653-2135 or (319) 653-1845, or [log in to unmask].

 

MUSCATINE—A broken belt at the Grain Processing Corporation in Muscatine allowed liquid gluten to reach the plant’s floor, run into a storm drain and reach the Mississippi River Tuesday afternoon.

 

The liquid gluten was discovered about 12:30 p.m. Plant officials called the DNR, shut down processes and built a small dam around the storm sewer intake to prevent more slurry from leaving the plant.

 

After finding the cause of the spill, they repaired the belt and cleaned up the floor. The staff’s action limited the amount of gluten reaching the river to an estimated 1,000 gallons.

 

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Karen Grimes

Information Specialist

DNR Communications Bureau

(515) 281-5135