DNR cites Royal Flush for violations

     Iowa DNR staff work with individuals, businesses, and communities to help them protect Iowa's natural resources by complying with state and federal laws. This approach is very effective. In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions.

   In this case, the DNR recently took enforcement action against Royal Flush Truck Wash, Inc. in Monticello. The consent order addresses "discharges of wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works in volumes or quantities in excess of its treatment agreement."

   Royal Flush "is a significant industrial user and discharges interior semi-trailer wash wastewater to the City of Monticello wastewater treatment facility," pursuant to an agreement dated June 14, 2019. The agreement was updated on July 11, 2022.

   The agreement limits the quantities of pollutants such as: biological oxygen demand five day (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N).

   The report notes that between Oct. 1, 2020, and Aug. 8, 2024, Royal Flush violated the terms of the agreement 51 times. The violations were documented by the city via the Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs).

   On three separate occasions in 2021, 2023, and 2024, the DNR "sent Notice of Violations (NOV)" to Royal Flush, noting the violations, a summary of the relevant law, and the recommended corrective actions.

   The order states that Royal Flush must comply with the TA that went into effect on July 11, 2022. They must cease all land application of wastewater without authorization from the DNR, and pay a fine of $8,000 within 30 days of the order.