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Gas leak explosion at Dubuque's wastewater treatment facility damages solids processing system

The City of Dubuque's Water and Resource Recovery Center.
City of Dubuque's website
The City of Dubuque's Water and Resource Recovery Center.

A gas leak at the City of Dubuque's wastewater treatment facility caused an explosion Wednesday afternoon, December 4th.

Public Information Officer for the city of Dubuque Randy Gehl says the city's Water and Resource Recovery Center (WRRC) suffered interior damage to its solids processing system.

WRRC staff called 911, and no injuries were reported. The Dubuque Fire Department shut off the facility's gas supply. The wastewater treatment system can still function without impacting customers connected to the city's sanitary sewer system.

WRRC has paused accepting hauled waste until the sludge processing building at the facility is repaired. Officials say waste haulers and customers should receive an update within 24 hours.

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