An eastern Iowa golf course that is required to treat its drinking water for bacteria and nitrate contamination has not conducted systematic safety testing or reported the results to state regulators since 2018, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. DNR recently fined Rolling Knolls Golf Course in Dyersville about $7,400 for numerous violations. Due to a lack of reliable data, it’s unclear whether the golf course’s water has always been safe to drink over the past six years, said Amber Sauser, DNR senior environmental specialist. Rolling Knolls has a well that is relatively shallow at 115 feet deep and is used seasonally to serve about 120 people, DNR records show. The field must sample water daily for chlorine, which is used to kill bacteria, and report. results monthly to DNR. Too little chlorine can allow bacteria to thrive, while too much can be harmful to your health. Reports were not filed from August 2018 to June 2022, when the department inspected the drinking water system, DNR records show. During that inspection, the golf course produced 16 monthly reports dating back to April 2020. “It was not clear where the data in the (reports) came from or why it had not been submitted,” a recent DNR order said. After that, the golf course continued to miss deadlines for submitting its internal testing reports. However, the course has consistently submitted monthly samples for laboratory testing that showed the water met requirements, but inspections revealed treatment failures. A 2015 inspection noted no chlorine in the water, DNR records show. “Something probably went wrong, that’s why they take that (daily) chlorine residue to fix it,” Sauser said. “Self-monitoring is an important part of ensuring compliance.” Rolling Knolls was fined and ordered to submit the results of its daily testing, post notices of its numerous violations, pay overdue public water fees, demonstrate that it has an adequate chlorine testing kit, and install a ventilation shaft. The golf course can appeal the order. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact editor Kathie Obradovich with questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X.
DYERSVILLE, Iowa—
An eastern Iowa golf course that is required to treat its drinking water for bacteria and nitrate contamination has not conducted systematic safety testing or reported the results to state regulators since 2018, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR recently fined Rolling Knolls Golf Course in Dyersville about $7,400 for numerous violations.
Due to a lack of reliable data, it’s unclear whether the golf course’s water has always been safe to drink over the past six years, said Amber Sauser, DNR senior environmental specialist.
Rolling Knolls has a well that is relatively shallow at 115 feet deep and is used seasonally to serve about 120 people, DNR records show.
The course must sample its water daily for chlorine, which is used to kill bacteria, and send the results monthly to the DNR. Too little chlorine can allow bacteria to thrive, while drinking too much can be harmful to your health.
The reports were not filed from August 2018 to June 2022, when the department inspected the drinking water system, DNR records show. During that inspection, the golf course produced 16 monthly reports dating back to April 2020.
“It was not clear where the data in the (reports) came from or why it had not been submitted,” a recent DNR order said.
After that, the golf course continued to miss deadlines for submitting its internal testing reports. However, the course has consistently submitted monthly samples for laboratory testing that showed the water met requirements, but inspections revealed treatment failures. A 2015 inspection noted no chlorine in the water, DNR records show.
“Something probably went wrong, that’s why they take that (daily) chlorine residue to fix it,” Sauser said. “Self-monitoring is an important part of ensuring compliance.”
Rolling Knolls was fined and ordered to submit the results of its daily testing, post notices of its numerous violations, pay overdue public water supply rates, prove it has an adequate chlorine test kit, and install a well vent. . The golf course can appeal the order.
Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact editor Kathie Obradovich with questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X.
Keynote USA
For the Latest Sports News, Follow Keynote USA Sports on Twitter.