COUNCIL BLUFFS - A wastewater discharge in the city of Council Bluffs started early
Friday morning after sand plugged collection pipes on the west side of town.

The sand came from a private pumping station at the River Bend apartment complex
near 36th  Street and Avenue G.

City staffers found that the private pumping station was taking on groundwater and
sand through a crack or break in the complex's wet well. The city discharged
untreated wastewater to prevent sewer backups.

It took about 13.5 hours to clean out several blocks of sand-clogged pipes, ending
the discharge early Friday afternoon. An estimated 122,000 gallons of untreated
wastewater was discharged to the Missouri River.

The city was working with the apartment manager to have wastewater hauled directly to
the Council Bluffs wastewater treatment plant until repairs are completed.