A break in a pressurized pipe allowed 50,000 gallons of raw wastewater to flow into the Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa.
The break and spill happened Tuesday evening, March 18, 2014 according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
“The city immediately mobilized crews to address the break,” a DNR statement said. “A means to pump and haul waste was initiated to minimize to minimize the quantity discharged to the river.”
Crews hauled 4,500 gallons of wastewater to the city’s wastewater treatment plant from the area of the break.
The statement said the spill “does not pose a known public health threat.” Water suppliers in downstream communities including Davenport, Burlington and Ft. Madison and Keokuk were notified of the wastewater discharge.
The broken main was repaired by 9:30 p.m. that evening.