Des Moines, Iowa, eliminates final combined sewer overflow into Des Moines River
(UI) — The City of Des Moines and the Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) have completed the final connection in a decades-long effort to eliminate combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Des Moines River.
The last major milestone was the connection of the Ingersoll Run Outlet Sewer at 22nd Street and High Street. This connection, along with the newly upgraded Birdland Pump Station, fulfills a consent decree with the State of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The work is part of a federally mandated program to stop the discharge of untreated wastewater into local waterways.
“While these projects were state-mandated, they fit directly into our mission to protect public health and enhance the environment by treating wastewater for the entire Metro,” said WRA Director Scott Hutchens. “These have been intensive projects that have had real impacts to neighbors and traffic in their areas. We truly appreciate the public’s patience.”
CSOs are common in older urban areas where stormwater and sanitary sewage systems are combined. During heavy rainfall, the system can overflow, sending untreated wastewater into rivers and streams.
The completed sewer system runs from the 22nd and High Street connection through Downtown Des Moines to W Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, eventually reaching the WRA’s treatment facility for proper processing before discharge into the Des Moines River.
“This is a tremendous achievement that everyone in Des Moines and the surrounding Metro can celebrate,” said Jonathan Gano, Des Moines Public Works Director. “Eliminating these overflows allows Des Moines to continue improving our waterways and to be a good steward to our local environment.”
Although the sewer connection is finished, work continues on the 18th Street Reconstruction Project and Fleur Drive Bridge, which will remain closed until later this summer.
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