JEFFERSON, Iowa—The source of the dark and murky water in a stormwater drainage ditch near the North Raccoon River in Jefferson has been identified.

On March 26, the DNR Field Office in Atlantic was notified of dark colored water observed in a stormwater ditch in Daubendiek Park on the southwest side of Jefferson, which drains to the North Raccoon River. 

DNR field staff responded to the incident, and upon arrival observed multiple pockets of discolored water in the ditch. City staff constructed a berm in the stormwater ditch to prevent contamination from reaching the North Raccoon River, and pumped nearly 6000 gallons of contaminated water out of the ditch.

On March 28, DNR staff received a phone call from a resident who reported seeing a Sloan Plumbing, Heating, A/C, and Septic vehicle dumping wastewater from its truck into a manhole at the north end of Kelso Park in Jefferson.

Officials with Jefferson Public Works and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office contacted Chad Sloan, the owner of Sloan Septic, for more information. Mr. Sloan stated he directed one of his employees to dump in a manhole at that location due to the normal dumpsite being blocked by construction at the wastewater plant. 

The employee unknowingly chose the storm sewer manhole instead of the wastewater collection system manhole. It is estimated that nearly 1000 gallons of septic waste were dumped into the storm sewer system.

The Iowa DNR, Jefferson Public Works and the Greene County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for helping to identify the source of the contaminated water.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

A stormwater drainage ditch with discolored water in Daubendiek Park in Jefferson.

(contributed press release and photo, DNR)