400,000 gallons of wastewater dumped into Maquoketa River

MAQUOKETA - An estimated 400,000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed into the Maquoketa River over the course of several days, state officials said Thursday.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources said a loss of power at a sewage pumping station in Maquoketa near North Jones St. was to blame for the discharge of wastewater into a storm sewer that flows straight into the river. The discharge likely began on July 2, according to flow records, and it ended at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, officials said.

The issue was discovered at about 1 p.m. Wednesday after someone mowing grass near the river reported a strong sewage odor.

Amber Sauser, a DNR environmental specialist, said that since the discharge was spread over several days, it is unlikely to harm aquatic life – like the smallmouth bass and trout that have made the Maquoketa River a destination for fishing.

Ecoli and waterborne pathogens are of greater concern, Sauser said. That's why the DNR recommends keeping children and pets away from the area for another 24 hours.

The city is operating the pump station and expects repairs to be completed Thursday evening, officials said.