Another band of heavy rainfall across the state Tuesday and Wednesday has resulted in wastewater bypasses in Fairfield and neighboring counties. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says when wastewater treatment facilities are "bypassed," sewage is not treated before it is sent directly into a body of water. Bypasses can occur as a result of mechanical failures and power outages, but also from heavy rainfalls or snowmelts.
The DNR tracks bypass reports submitted by facilities and follows up with the facility to determine problems and help them upgrade their systems, although it can be a long-term process. The DNR has also formed a committee to discuss how it handles wet weather bypasses. The City of Fairfield began bypassing at 11 p.m. Tuesday to a tributary of Big Cedar Creek. Officials estimate it has bypassed about 185,000 gallons so far. source: "KMCD News" at http://radiovillage.com
