The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is mandating that people avoid the North Racoon River area immediately below the Adel Wastewater Treatment Facility where a pool of partially treated waste has collected after a release on Monday.

The DNR said they had a  problem with a valve causing the release. The valve was recently repaired, but liquids with suspended solids pooled adjacent to the river at the facility. The partially treated waste did go through ultraviolet disinfection treatment, but as a precaution, river users should avoid the area until the pool dissipates. The facility is off Portland Road on the southeast side of Adel.