Two out of three main pumps in the Clinton wastewater collection system failed about 10 a.m. Tuesday, causing a discharge to the Mississippi River. ‘Read more’ for the official statement from the Department of Natural Resources.
City officials aren’t sure what caused the failure at the 20th Avenue N. pumping station, but think a faulty valve is responsible. They removed the pumps to make repairs Tuesday and expect them to be working by Wednesday afternoon.
The city pumped about 500 gallons per hour of untreated wastewater to the river until early afternoon on Tuesday, when a contractor began hauling it to the wastewater treatment plant.
The city will collect water samples upstream and down from the discharge. DNR will continue to monitor the situation.
