Lang
12/16/23
Coralville officials say a local car wash with a history of illegal discharges is to blame for a pink creek.
A pedestrian noticed pink water running through an unnamed tributary to Clear Creek on December 7th. The man took a photo of the water…located just west of the Tom Harkin Trailhead on the Clear Creek Trail…and sent it to a reporter for The Cedar Rapids Gazette. The reporter forwarded the photo to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which began an investigation.
Coralville officials launched their own investigation, and traced the water to a hose that was draining water from a wash pit inside Club Car Wash on The Coralville Strip into a storm drain. The Gazette reports officials from the car wash took responsibility for the spill, apologized, and worked with the city on the cleanup efforts.
The stream was flushed with clean water and should once again be safe for wildlife. There was no reported fish kill.
Coralville officials say they plan to fine Club Car Wash $1,000 for the illegal discharge, as well as charging the company for the cost of the cleanup…estimated to be as much as $10,000. The DNR issued its own citation, although a fine amount has not yet been set.
The Gazette says Club Car Wash was cited twice in 2021 for similar violations at its Iowa City location on Highway 1 West.