NORWALK, Iowa — Residents in Norwalk dealing with an unpleasant sewer smell can blame recent heavy rainfall, according to local water officials.
The Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority said recent rains caused wastewater to build up in the system. The increased flow moves through the sanitary sewer system and is stored in a large equalization basin on the south side of Norwalk.
The basin holds roughly 450 million gallons of water, which is about the same capacity as Gray’s Lake. When wastewater sits in the basin for extended periods, it turns septic and creates a stronger odor, officials said…