(Estherville)– A proposal by a local ethanol plant to discharge cooling water into the West Fork of the Des Moines River isn’t sitting well with Estherville officials.
The city council Monday discussed a permit application Superior Ethanol has filed with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that would allow the discharge to take place just north of Estherville.
City officials worry it will have an adverse affect on Estherville’s wastewater treatment plant. Paul Barnes, Superintendent of the city’s wastewater treatment system, told the council they would have to treat that water before it goes downstream in order to meet DNR and EPA standards, since the plant is ultimately responsible for water quality downstream from it’s discharge.
Environmentalists are concerned over possible impacts the warm discharge water may have on wildlife, aquatic life and vegetation in and along the Des Moines River.
They’re requesting a meeting among the various parties involved, including the DNR and representatives of the ethanol plant.
