LAKE CITY — A frozen pump in the Lake City sanitary sewer system began a wastewater discharge into a tributary of the North Raccoon River Wednesday that city crews hope to end by Thursday, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Tom Roos, DNR senior environmental specialist, said his department was notified Wednesday afternoon of the ongoing discharge from a manhole near Lake City’s main lift station. The wastewater is entering Lake Creek at a rate of about 5,500 gallons per hour and then flowing into the North Raccoon River, Roos said.
He said the Lake City Public Works Department is working to thaw the pump and divert the wastewater into its treatment lagoons. The city estimates the discharge will end Thursday afternoon.
The pump is a temporary, portable pump the city has used since its main lift station pumps and control panel were flooded.
Downstream water users have been notified, Roos said.
