DNR Says City of Waukee Spilled Sewage into Sugar Creek Tributary

The city of Waukee discovered a discharge of untreated wastewater Feb. 5 into an unnamed tributary of Sugar Creek, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The spill was caused by a leak in an air relief value in the force main. About 2,000 gallons of untreated wastewater flowed to nearby Sugar Creek, DNR environmental specialist Bill Gibbons said.

The leak was patched Feb. 5 and permanent repairs were completed Feb. 6. Wastewater was pumped to a nearby lift station while repairs were made, the DNR said.

The wastewater spill did not kill fish in the creek and no penalties to the city of Waukee are expected, Gibbons said.

Wastewater plant operator Bob Herrick noticed the problem while he was checking the lift station. The incident was reported to the DNR by Charles Waske, the city's wastewater supervisor.

The likely cause of the mishap was corrosion in the air relief valve that created a small hole in the bottom of the valve, Gibbons said. The air relief valve is part of the force main (sewer main) that flows to the lift station.