Despite “near-heroic” efforts by the Council Bluffs wastewater treatment staff, repairs to a valve on a sewer force main have been delayed due to high flood waters.

A passerby reported the leak to the Council Bluffs staff about noon Saturday, but the city had to pump water down behind a levee to reach the sewer main on the south side of the city near Interstate 80. Wearing life jackets, city staffers tried to shut an air relief valve and discovered the valve was broken.

A contractor tried to make repairs or temporarily plug the leak last weekend, but was unsuccessful. The city estimates 100 to 200 gallons of wastewater per minute are discharging to the Missouri River.

The city plans to make temporary repairs Monday, but will be unable to make permanent repairs until flood waters recede.

The DNR will continue to monitor the situation and provide technical assistance as needed.

(DNR Press Release)