South Side Sewer Separation

The City of Ottumwa has a combined storm and sanitary sewer system.  This means that stormwater runoff and household sewage are collected and transported through the same pipe.  When the system was constructed years ago, this is how the sewer systems were commonly built.  The problem is when the system is overloaded, like during a heavy rain, the sewer (both sanitary and stormwater) overflows directly into the Des Moines River.  These discharges are called Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s).  The combined sewers also cause raw sewage to “backup” in basements. 

This system does not meet current environmental regulatory standards and the City of Ottumwa is now required by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to develop a sewer separation plan.  Eliminating the CSO’s will ensure clean water for future generations and also help to eliminate raw sewage backups in basements. 

The City of Ottumwa is actively working on the process of separating its sewer system.  A study phase was completed in 2003 that investigated the sewer system to find deficiencies.  The first step was to separate the worst part of the system located south of the Des Moines River.  The first phase will eliminate four of nine CSO’s and 65% of household sewer backup locations.

Phase I

This project covers the separation of sewers through the construction of a new storm sewer and various sanitary sewer improvements in the area generally bounded by Church Street, Finley Avenue, Madison Avenue and Ransom Street.

Phase II

A continuation of the sewer separation project will be in the area generally bounded by Vine Street, Ward Street, Madison Avenue and Mary Street. 

A public meeting was held on Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at Bridge View Center, 102 Church Street with over 29 in attendance.  The total project was presented and questions answered. 

The purpose of the Public Hearing was to inform area residents and other interested persons of the proposed project design, anticipated project costs and impacts on user fees, adopt plans and specifications and to review the environmental assessment of the project.  Citizens concerns with the project, if any, were addressed.  Contractor for this project is Van Hauen & Associates, Inc., of Clive, Iowa.  Veenstra & Kimm, Inc., is the general engineer for the project.