The operator in charge of the City of Manson’s drinking water treatment facility has had his licensed revoked after admitting that he was falsifying reports to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR and Jeff Kirchoff reached an agreement filed Thursday, Dec. 7, for the revocation of his Grade II certification in drinking water treatment and drinking water distribution. The Administrative Order also states that he will be prohibited from holding any similar certifications in the future. The DNR opened an investigation this past September after an Environmental Specialist voiced suspicions that Kirchoff had been providing false chlorine testing results. The investigation revealed that for a period of at least four years and nine months, Kirchoff routinely failed to collect samples of residual chlorine in Manson’s drinking water distribution system and had instead submitted the false reports. Mr. Kirchoff admitted that the conclusion to this investigation was correct on Oct. 27.
