Keokuk agrees to address sewage overflows to Mississippi River

Issue similar to Bettendorf/Davenport problems

The city of Keokuk must begin addressing its raw sewage discharges into the Mississippi River under an agreement announced Wednesday (1/5) with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the administrative compliance order, Keokuk will develop plans and begin work to upgrade its sewer and stormwater systems to reduce sewage overflows into the Mississippi and its tributary, Soap Creek.

Keokuk's situation is similar to the sewage bypass issue facing Bettendorf and Davenport. When heavy rains infiltrate sewer lines, the resulting rainwater and sewage flow overwhelm the sewage treatment plant capacity, forcing the discharge of millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Mississipppi River.

Keokuk was required to develop a long-term control plan in 2002, when the IDNR issued the city a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Keokuk submitted a draft plan in 2006, but it failed to include dates for implementation and completion. EPA has been working with city officials in Keokuk to approve a plan since 2007.

CLICK HERE for the complete news release issued by the EPA.