KDSN RADIO News
DNR Continues To Investigate Southwest Iowa Fertilizer Spill
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The Iowa D-N-R continues to investigate a fertilizer spill at the New Cooperative near Red Oak that has moved down the East Nishnabotna River. D-N-R environmental specialist Brent Martens says the approximately 15-hundred tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer is the biggest spill he knows of in the southwest Iowa area. He says they observed high ammonia levels in the Hamburg area and spoke with officials with the Missouri Fisheries Department and advised them. Martens says they found the first dead fish about one-half mile south of the spill and on from there down the river. Martens says the fertilizer doesn't separate like a petroleum product in the water so it can't be skimmed off the top.
On Thursday, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency reported that “After careful examination and a thorough search of local records, IDNR records as well as rural water customer records, it’s determined that most residential properties south of Red Oak along the East Nishnabotna River to the county line, receive their water directly from the Southwest Regional Water District and are not directly impacted by the liquid nitrogen spill. “We are aware that the City of Coburg is not on rural water and obtain their water directly from private wells. Montgomery County Public Health has been in contact with City of Coburg officials who will be contacting all their residents and providing them with information on how to contact and schedule a test with Public Health. “There is no concern of water pollution within the City of Red Oak however the East Nishnabotna River should avoided for any fishing and/or recreational activities until contamination levels recede. “It is recommended that any private non-registered well users near the East Nishnabotna River south of Red Oak to the Missouri River, contact their local Public Health Agency to schedule a well water test and keep any livestock away from the river until contamination levels recede. “Additionally, Page and Fremont County officials will be going through the same information to determine who to contact for both residential and livestock operations to ensure they have the information provided by IDNR and given the opportunity to schedule a well test.”
Audio version of story below.
