Heavy rain causes multiple wastewater discharges near Okoboji lakes

DICKINSON COUNTY, Iowa (KCAU) — Heavy rain and power outages in Dickinson County have caused water to bypass water treatment.

The Spencer field office of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received a notice early Monday morning that wastewater was bypassing treatment at a lift station, according to a release from the department. The lift station was just south of Manhattan Point on the west side of West Lake Okoboji.

The Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District pumped the lift station and they took as mush wastewater it could to a treatment plant. About 10 gallons per minute of untreated wastewater is estimated to have flowing into the lake. Discharge is estimated to have ended around noon. Officials said all drinking water systems, a nearby resort, and residents in the vicinity were made aware of the discharge.

Another bypass happened at a lift station near Francis Sites on East Lake Okoboji. The field office was notified of this around 9:30 a.m., with that discharge also ending around noon.

Meanwhile, the release states that the “City of Spirit Lake is also bypassing their wastewater collection system to storm sewers and discharging to East Lake Okoboji.” Two pumps on the west side of upper East Okoboji were running to try to keep wastewater out of basements.

The Iowa DNR notes that heavy rainfall can overload wastewater collection systems, so bypassing them can help to lower or maintain water levels and also alleviate pressures of collection systems. This will also help to keep sewage from backing up into basements, which could result in health risks.

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance to affected communities.

The Iowa DNR also wants to remind people and pets to avoid these areas and stay out of flooded and elevated waterways.

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