For immediate release: JAN. 22, 2010

 

DNR UPDATES ON BYPASSES, SPILL IN MUSCATINE

 

MEDIA CONTACTS: MEDIA CONTACTS: Kirk Mathis at the Atlantic DNR field office for Brayton, at (712) 243-1934 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 – After receiving more information from the Grain Processing Corporation in Muscatine, the company estimates only 50 to 100 gallons of corn gluten reached the Mississippi River Thursday, not 1,000 gallons.

 

The spill was reported to the DNR after a belt broke in the plant, spilling the gluten onto the plant floor where it ran into a storm drain.

 

Also, enough power was restored in Brayton and Audubon in southwest Iowa to end wastewater discharges Friday morning.

 

In Brayton, the bypassing stopped about 10:25 a.m., with the city estimating that 4,200 to 4,300 gallons had reached the East Nishnabotna River.

 

The city will calculate an estimate of untreated wastewater bypassed from the pumping station in Audubon. Bypassing to Blue Grass Creek ended at 8:45 a.m.

 

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Karen Grimes

Information Specialist

DNR Communications Bureau

(515) 281-5135