Council Bluffs wastewater still going into river

COUNCIL BLUFFS – In a press release Tuesday, Iowa Department of Natural Resources announces that the City of Council Bluffs is continuing to discharge wastewater from its I-80 Sanitary Pump Station 

The release says the discharge, which began last week, is necessary to repair a damaged force main. The city unsuccessfully attempted to repair the leaking pipe last week and are currently making preparations for a second attempt at repairs.

 

The city has put dewatering wells in place to facilitate excavation of the damaged main. Groundwater from these wells, which has also included some sewage, has been discharged to a wooded area east of Catfish Road. 

The public should avoid the area, including bike trails running through the wooded area, and avoid contact with the Missouri River downstream from Interstate 80.

 Council Bluffs said last week that it would discharge an estimated 4 million gallons of untreated wastewater to the river each day.