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City of Ames staff is requesting help from Ames residents and employers to locate the source of foam that is coming into the Water Pollution Control Facility. Several times over the past six weeks, the facility has received discharges of a foam-causing substance from an unknown source. This influx has the potential to damage plant equipment.
"The foam is a big problem because it causes all kinds of machinery malfunctions," said Water Pollution Control Facility Superintendent Jim McElvogue. "Eventually the foam can cause equipment failure, and that could lead to violations of state water quality standards."
City of Ames employees are working to track and identify the location of this discharge. Once the source is located, appropriate action will be taken. Because the foam has a disruptive impact on the city's treatment facility, this discharge violates the Ames City Code. Although the source of the high foam has not been identified, it may be associated with the use of a new or different cleaning product or a change in equipment or operational practice.
Anyone with information or questions regarding the foam can contact city of Ames Water and Pollution Control Department at 239-5150 or 232-7423.
