MUSCATINE—Monday, the city of Muscatine reported the ongoing release of untreated wastewater leaking from a sewer force main near the intersection of Nebraska and Day streets.
The city discovered a small leak Monday morning that flowed to Briar’s Ditch and then into Muscatine Slough. About 15,000 gallons discharged at that site, but wastewater is no longer going into the ditch or the slough.
A second discharge began after the city shut down the Papoose pumping station to complete repairs on the original leaking pipe. Since about 5 p.m. Oct. 31, an estimated 2,100 gallons per minute has been discharging to the Mississippi River upstream of the old boat landing along the Muscatine Riverfront.
The city is hoping to complete excavating around a 30-inch force main today or early Friday. Once the pipe is exposed, city staff will have a better estimate of when repairs will be complete.
DNR recommends people avoid contact with potentially contaminated water for 24 to 48 hours after repairs are completed.
City staff will monitor water quality at both discharge locations.
The DNR will continue to monitor the situation.