(Council Bluffs) On Thursday, June 20th, the Council Bluffs Fire Department notified the Iowa DNR Field Office of an approximate 900-gallon release of tack, an asphalt adhesive with a 60/40 blend of water and asphalt, into a storm drain at 8th Street and Broadway in Council Bluffs.
The release was caused by a semi-truck accident around 8:53 AM. The responsible party for the release is Henningsen Construction of Atlantic, Iowa. The product flowed into a storm drain, which empties into Indian Creek and then the Missouri River.
City crews on-site were able to close the storm drain within minutes after the release. However, an unknown amount did flow through the storm drain into Indian Creek. A sheen was observed on Indian Creek downstream of the release.
The city officials and fire department staff are working together towards clean-up efforts. An underflow dam was placed at the bridge of 16th Avenue. Additionally, booms and sphag sorb are being used to help stop and remove product in Indian Creek.
Residents are asked to stay away from the area. DNR staff will monitor cleanup and containment. The DNR will consider appropriate enforcement action.
