DNR compliance questioned at Big Four Fair; 90th annual fair almost shut down following complaint

submitted by
the Postville Herald

A surprise visit by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to Postville this last Thursday, June 17 almost shut down the 90th iteration of the Big Four Fair this past weekend. The DNR told the City of Postville and the Big Four Fair Board the water runoff from the cattle wash rack at the fairgrounds could no longer drain into a nearby ditch.
Since the water generated at the wash facility is considered to be wastewater, discharging the water without a permit is a violation of Code of Iowa §455B.186 Prohibited Actions. The inspection came Thursday, the day before the Fair was scheduled to open.
“[The DNR] said as soon as they notify us, the fine would be ten-thousand dollars a day [if the fair remained out of compliance],” stated Postville Mayor Leigh Rekow in an interview with Becca Habegger of the Waterloo-based KWWL Television Channel 7.
The complaint that brought on the DNR inspection was filed by former Postville City Councilman Jeff Reinhart.
Reinhart’s property, the Town and Country Mobile Home Park, sits adjacent to the Big Four Fairgrounds - property Reinhart was recently served a Notice to Abate Nuisance for violations of City Code of Postville after complaints were received by the City.
The City and fair board sprang into action to implement a temporary solution for the 2010 Big Four Fair, which included the burying of a tank to catch the runoff – which in turn was pumped into a slurry wagon – and then taken to a location in rural Postville to be disposed of properly.
Though allowed to hold the fair with the temporary solution in place, the fair board will need to devise a long-term solution for the next years’ fairs.
This single complaint now puts every fair in the state on alert. Though understaffed and unable to conduct a state-wide inspection, should other complaints be filed, the DNR will conduct compliance inquiries.