Wastewater plant construction continues despite environmental controversey

An environmental law case involving Clarion’s new wastewater treatment plant made headlines in Des Moines last week. Though in Mayof 2015 the Department of Natural Resources approved a design for improvements to the plant, which is currently under construction, the Iowa Environmental Council took the DNR to court for approving a cheaper design than one with less environmental impact. District Judge Michael Huppert ruled with the IEC, which called the case “a clean water win,” but the Des Moines-based “Business Record” commented that the case could mean more expensive sewer projects for cities and factories in the future.

Technically, the permit for plant construction has been overturned. The City of Clarion, however, wasn’t directly involved in the case, and since the plant is within a few months of completion, it’s hard to say how the case will affect it.

“They’re still trying to determine if that impacts us,” said City Administrator Dustin Rief. “There’s nothing legally binding that forces us to stop the construction.”

Though it’s possible that Clarion may have to add more filtration equipment or other improvements once construction is complete, there’s been no call for the city to scrap the project, especially since $5.8 million of the $6 million contract has been paid. “I think everybody’s on the same page with that,” Rief said.

For the full story, see the April 7 edition of the Monitor.