Wastewater discharged into lake

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported a contractor working on a road project at Ventura Monday struck a sewer force main, releasing a small, but unknown, amount of wastewater in to Clear Lake.

Godbersen-Smith Construction, of Ida Grove, was working on a road and culvert project on the Ventura grade when they struck a sewer force main, according to the DNR.   

The Clear Lake Sanitary District responded immediately and shut down the pump station that serves the Ventura sewer line.

  Repairs are expected to take at least a week, because the broken pipe is below water level.

  Until repairs are completed, the Sanitary District is emptying the lift station in Ventura and transporting wastewater to the wastewater treatment plant. Sanitary District officials say no further discharges should occur.

  The DNR will monitor the situation daily until repairs are made.