NORA SPRINGS — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a wastewater discharge in the city of Nora Springs.
The DNR says their Mason City field office received a call from the city on Monday regarding a wastewater discharge due to a frozen sewer line running below the Shell Rock River. The discharge is believed to have started sometime on Saturday and is continuing to enter the river from a manhole on the bank of the river located near the 1st Street Southwest bridge.
The river is frozen in the area of the discharge. Wastewater is not visible on the surface but is believed to be entering under the ice.
Attempts to resolve the plugged line have not been successful and it is anticipated the discharge will continue until later in the week when warmer temperatures allow for the line to be jetted.
The DNR says there have been no observable impacts to the river in small pockets of open water downstream from the discharge, no dead fish have been observed, and there are no reports of backups in basements in the area.
The DNR says they will follow up with the city for further assessment.
