The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater discharge from the City of Keokuk into the Mississippi River.
According to a news release from the DNR, the city reported it had an “ongoing” wastewater bypass due to malfunctioning equipment and a partially clogged line in the city’s wastewater collection system.
It is unknown how much wastewater has been bypassed from a point ahead of the treatment plant to the river.
The wastewater was diverted to a combined sewer outfall into the Mississippi River near the wastewater treatment plant and upstream of a public boat ramp on Mississippi Drive. Brian Lee, an environmental specialist with DNR said the bypass has been occurring for about a week, but that the city did not understand the severity of the malfunctioning equipment until early this week.
The bypassed wastewater is untreated, but partially diluted with stormwater before reaching the river.
DNR said downstream recreation should be done with caution and the outfall area should be avoided.
DNR reported there are “no observable impacts” to the river at this time, including no observed dead fish. The department has collected samples of the water for testing and said it will continue to follow up with the City of Keokuk.
Repairs to the equipment are underway, according to the news release.
