WEST DES MOINES –The city of West Des Moines discovered untreated wastewater bubbling up from a manhole on the south side of the road in the 5400 block of University Avenue about 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Wastewater flowed a short distance across a grassy area before entering a storm water drain and flowing underground to an unnamed tributary of Walnut Creek just east of NW 120th Street in Clive. The city limed the flow area to disinfect the ground.
Originally estimated at 2,000 gallons, the city increased the estimated discharged amount to between 3,000 and 5,000 gallons after unplugging the sewer line shortly before 1 p.m.Wednesday.
The DNR recommends residents keep children and pets away from the limed area. Downstream water users have been notified.