Roorda Dairy Faces $38,000 Penalty Over Manure Spill in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has imposed a consent order on Roorda Dairy, requiring the payment of more than $38,000 following a significant manure spill in July that resulted in the death of over 100,000 fish.

Located in O'Brien County, Roorda Dairy is also mandated to submit its standard operating procedures concerning manure application, equipment inspection, employee training, and manure irrigation methods for DNR's approval.

In July 2024, a tile line rupture occurred while the dairy was applying manure to a field, leading the waste to flow into Mud Creek. Despite efforts by Lance Roorda to contain the spill by constructing a dam and redirecting manure back into the field, heavy rains caused the dam to fail, allowing the manure to enter the creek.

An observer contacted the DNR after noticing manure and dead fish in Mud Creek. According to the consent order, the fish kill extended 9.6 miles down Mud Creek to where it merges with Mill Creek. DNR staff estimated that 107,373 fish perished due to the spill and the subsequent rise in nutrient levels.

The DNR valued the replacement of the lost fish and investigative costs at $30,791, an amount that Roorda Dairy is required to reimburse. Additionally, the dairy faces an $8,000 administrative penalty, with $6,000 attributed to the gravity of the spill and $2,000 for failing to promptly notify the DNR of the incident.

Roorda Dairy has consented to the order, which was finalized by DNR director Kayla Lyon on January 10.