The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating a liquid fertilizer spill in the City of Burlington in Des Moines County.
At approximately 5:00 p.m. on April 22, a truck driven by a man identified by DNR as Jeff Boyer was hauling fertilizer when a 700-gallon plastic tank containing ammonium phosphate fell off near the intersection of West Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Burlington. DNR said the driver stopped but left the scene shortly thereafter.
Local authorities responded to the scene. Further investigation revealed an unknown amount of the fertilizer spilled onto the street and continued into a nearby storm sewer that discharges into Hawkeye Creek. DNR staff later observed fertilizer contamination at Hawkeye Creek, which flows through the City of Burlington to the Mississippi River.
City officials worked to capture the creek flow and clean it through the Burlington Wastewater Treatment Plant. Samples have been collected, and no dead fish were observed. Residents and their pets were encouraged to avoid the area.
DNR is working with the City of Burlington to address the fertilizer impact before it enters the Mississippi River. DNR said further enforcement action will be considered when appropriate, and the investigation is ongoing.