Wastewater Discharge Monitored in Clinton

CLINTON, Iowa (AP) — Officials say a wastewater discharge in the eastern Iowa city of Clinton is reaching the main channel of the Mississippi River.

The state Department of Natural Resources says the city began discharging about 2,000 gallons of untreated wastewater at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday. The discharge continues about four hours later.

It is unclear how much wastewater has discharged underground, but some if it is flowing directly to the main channel of the Mississippi River.

The discharge happened during repair work on a pipe that’s used to move the wastewater. The city is using trucks to haul some of the wastewater for treatment, but officials say it’s not keeping up with the level of discharge.

Terry Jones with the Iowa DNR says the discharge is expected to end Wednesday afternoon.