Sheldon, Iowa — Thanks to an observant fisherman, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the City of Sheldon were alerted to a wastewater discharge Monday.
The DNR says a fisherman emailed them Saturday that he was seeing sewage in the Floyd River below the Sheldon Wastewater Treatment Plant. THe DNR contacted the treatment plant Monday , and plant operators reported the plant was operating as usual. However, the DNR says that by Monday afternoon, treatment plant personnel discovered a discharging manhole.
Sheldon Wastewater Treatment Plant operators were working Tuesday morning, jetting an 8-inch sewer pipe to unplug the line and stop a manhole from overflowing. As of 2:00 pm Tuesday, Public Works Director Todd Uhl says the line has been unplugged, and things are back to normal.
DNR officials say an unknown amount of untreated wastewater has reached the river. Although river flows are high and DNR does not expect a fish kill or observable effects on the stream, residents should avoid contact with the river on the west side of town. They should also keep children and pets away from the area until 24 to 48 hours after the discharge ends.
Anglers, hikers and others can report fish kills, wastewater discharges and other environmental emergencies using the DNR’s 24-hour spill line at 515-725-8694.
The DNR says they will continue to monitor the discharge and cleanup activities.
