Heavy rains in Wapello County Thursday night washed out a sewer pipeline in Eldon.
Localized flooding swept out a concrete pier, collapsing a 40-foot section of pipe crossing a creek southwest of the intersection of West Elm Street and Fifth Street North. The washout occurred about 150 feet from the Des Moines River.
The city will be unable to make repairs until flood waters recede, causing an estimated ongoing discharge of 10,000 to 15,000 gallons of untreated wastewater per day into the creek.
DNR cautions residents to keep children and pets away from the area until at least 24 to 48 hours after repairs are completed.
DNR will continue to monitor the situation.
The city received approximately 9 inches of rainfall in a very short time.