A sewer line collapsed in northwest Davenport, Iowa, allowing untreated wastewater into a creek that eventually leads to Goose and Duck creeks.
Erosion of the stream bank exposed the ten-inch sewer pipe and led to its eventual collapse, according to a statement from Terry Jones from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The untreated wastewater was impacting Goose and Duck creeks, which flow through Davenport and part of Bettendorf before reaching the Mississippi River.
"The city estimates about 3,000 to 5,000 gallons per day are leaking into the creek, but (does) not know how long ago the discharge began," Jones said. The collapsed pipe was in a remote area that was difficult to access with trucks and repair equipment.
The leak was coming from the area near 1st Choice Couriers, a delivery business at 1101 West 76th Street in Davenport. A spokesperson from Davenport Public Works said the overflow happened on a sewer line that serves between 10 and 15 commercial buildings along the street, which is on property that the City of Davenport does not own.
"Residents should keep children and pets away from an unnamed tributary to Goose Creek, and from Goose and Duck creeks until 48 hours after the sewer line is repaired," Jones said.
Iowa American Water has been notified and repairs were expected to begin Thursday morning, April 23.
