Ottumwa seeks answers: Where is the pollution coming from?
June 23, 2009

The city of Ottumwa, Iowa, is under orders from the EPA to separate its storm sewers from its sanitary sewers -- a mandate handed down to several other Iowa communities, including Davenport and Des Moines, both of which are also working on separation projects. In Ottumwa, the city has asked consulting engineers to investigate whether the pollution found in the Des Moines River as it passes through and beyond the city is coming from the city's overflow sewers or whether it is mostly attributable to non-point-source pollution, which in Iowa is mainly the result of rainwater runoff from farm fields. If they can prove that even a sizeable investment in sewer separation is unlikely to yield any significant environmental benefits, the city is hoping it might be able to avoid a huge bill for the separation project. The impact of major civil-works projects in Ottumwa could be especially significant at this time, as the community attempts to cope with a large layoff event at the John Deere plant which is one of the largest employers in the area.

We can help you with related products, from wastewater samplers to many of the items needed to conduct stormwater sewer separation proejcts, like pump stations. Please feel free to contact us with your questions.

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last revised June 2009