The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has approved the City of Cherokee’s request to temporarily discharge partially treated wastewater into the Little Sioux River due to safety concerns at the city’s wastewater treatment facility.
The wastewater treatment plant in Cherokee suffered significant damage in late June due to flooding. While efforts were made to continue treatment operations, the facility is currently unable to process wastewater due to safety and reliability concerns. The city has been storing wastewater in equalization lagoons, which are now full and at risk of overflowing, which could impact their structural integrity.
Beginning today (Fri), the City of Cherokee plans to discharge up to two million gallons of wastewater per day for a period of 25 days or until lagoon levels are lowered to a safe level. Throughout this period, the city will monitor the discharged wastewater.
In addition to the temporary discharge plan, the City of Cherokee is actively developing short-term treatment options utilizing the equalization lagoons and is in the planning stages for a permanent wastewater treatment facility.
