The Bacon Creek Channel was reported to be dry before an equipment failure caused a wastewater discharge into the channel which flows into the Missouri River. (Photo via Google Maps)
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources responded to a wastewater spill in Sioux City, where an estimated 2 million gallons of untreated wastewater spilled into the Bacon Creek Channel, which flows into the Missouri River.
No fish kills have been observed, and according to a press release, the creek channel was dry prior to the equipment failure at a nearby lift station where the spill occurred.
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Scott Wilson, the supervisor for the DNR field office in Spencer that received the call, said the dry channel would have minimized the amount of untreated wastewater that could have reached the Missouri River.
It also means DNR does not have an estimated amount of discharge that entered the Missouri River.
Wilson said there was no visible impact to the river but the department has advised recreational users to exercise caution downstream.
“Better safe than sorry,” Wilson said.
The discharge began around 10:15 a.m. Wednesday and by 1 p.m., the lift station was again operational and the discharge was stopped, according to Wilson.
Wilson said the City of Sioux City has worked with the department and notified them quickly of the equipment failure. He said DNR will follow up with the city, “like we normally do.”
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