The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a liquid fertilizer spill near Fort Madison in Lee County.
On October 26, the DNR Field Office in Washington was notified of a release of liquid fertilizer, UAN (Urea Ammonium Nitrate), 32% nitrogen, from an on-site containment tank at the Merschman Fertilizer facility in Fort Madison.
DNR field staff responded to the incident. Facility staff reported one of their tanks developed a leak in early October, which required them to pump the product into an alternate tank. Both tanks sit inside a secondary containment berm that is poly lined with 6-8 inches of gravel.
Over the past month, facility staff activated a sump pump to remove liquid from the containment area following recent rains. Consequently, an unknown amount of the product and rainwater mixture was pumped over the berm into a drainage ditch south of the property. This ditch connects to an unnamed tributary that empties into the Mississippi River.
Cleanup operations have begun. Facility staff are pumping the remaining product and rainwater mixture into an alternate on-site storage tank, and temporary dams have been placed in multiple places in the tributary.
No dead fish have been observed at this time. Water samples have been collected, and the investigation is ongoing. Residents are asked to avoid the area at this time.
To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.
