(Cherokee)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved a request from the city of Cherokee to temporarily release untreated wastewater into the Little Sioux River.
DNR officials say the action stems from the June flood that damaged the city’s wastewater treatment facility. While efforts were made to continue treatment operations, they say the facility is currently unable to process wastewater due to “safety and reliability concerns”. The city has been storing wastewater in equalization lagoons. Those lagoons are now full and officials say they’re at risk of overflowing, which could impact their structural integrity.
Beginning today (Friday, Nov. 15th) the city of Cherokee plans to discharge up to 2 million gallons of wastewater per day for 25 days or until lagoon levels are lowered to a safe level. The DNR says the city will monitor the discharged wastewater.
The agency adds that the city of Cherokee is developing short-term treatment options and is in the planning stages for a permanent wastewater treatment facility.
