Reported discolored and foamy water in a creek east of Fort Dodge last week has been linked to a nearby soil fertility company. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was notified of the unusual circumstances in Holiday Creek on Wednesday, May 15, and launched an investigation the same day. Specialists traced the source of the pollutant, which was identified as lignin sulfonate, to an underground tile line. Officials determined the chemical is stored and used by Calcium Products to manufacture soil fertility compounds. The company was unable to identify how it managed to make its way into the creek. The tile line was plugged, and Calcium Products has been tasked with cleanup. The DNR did not see any indication of a fish kill but did take water samples for laboratory testing. The agency will continue to monitor cleanup efforts and consider appropriate enforcement action.
