By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Fort Dodge, IA – An investigation is underway by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources as approximately 400,000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Des Moines River.
According to a press release from the Iowa DNR, the discharge was discovered at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The City of Fort Dodge told the DNR that the discharged was caused when a contractor hit a force main at the Kenyon Road bridge near the river. The main that was hit transports untreated wastewater under the river to a treatment plant.
The Iowa DNR stated that the force main has been repaired and cleanup is underway. The agency is urging the public to use caution and should not engage in recreational use of the river. They note that no dead fish have been observed in the river.
The department said it will follow up with the city about the incident and the investigation is ongoing.