Rivers soak up pollution from Iowa's aging sewers

When rainfall coursing down the Des Moines River caused a sewage backup that temporarily KO'ed Ottumwa's water treatment plant Friday, it was the latest sign that Iowa's sewage systems cannot keep up with demands people place on them these days.

An equally glaring reminder was a sewage clog that forced 800 workers - including employees of the Iowa Department of Public Health - to leave the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines the same day.

Dozens of Iowa cities and towns polluted rivers and streams last week when rains overloaded their sewer systems and they were forced to divert the waste. Because the systems could not handle the onslaught, the communities piped their waste directly into local rivers or streams.

Through July, Iowa sewage plants recorded more than 100 such bypasses caused by non-weather-related problems such as equipment breakdowns or pipe clogs. It could cost millions of dollars to upgrade the plants, and that could mean higher bills for homeowners.

The streams that absorb the diverted sewage became potential health threats to swimmers, boaters and fishermen, because the human wastes can contain disease-causing organisms and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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