For immediate release: Oct.31, 2011

LACONA WASTEWATER RELEASE CAUSED BY BROKEN PIPE

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Atkinson at 515-725-0371 or 515-577-9296 (cell) or [log in to unmask]

LACONA – Monday afternoon the city of Lacona reported a wastewater release to Cotton and Mill creeks in southeast Warren County.

City staff received a complaint of sewage odors in the creek. When they inspected, they found a broken pipe in an eroded area where flooding had displaced soil.

The staff does not know when the pipe broke or how much wastewater has reached the creek, but reported that the discharge is occurring at a rate of three gallons per minute.

The city will hold an emergency council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday to discuss repairs. A contractor is expected to repair the pipe Monday night.

The DNR will continue to monitor the situation and cleanup activities.

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Karen Grimes

DNR Communications Specialist

515-281-5135