Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources said Thursday, that the wastewater operator for the city of Malvern had reported they discovered a break in a sewer main where it crosses Little Creek about one-fourth mile southwest of town.

The city estimates the discharge rate at 100,000 gallons per day. The untreated wastewater is discharging into the creek, not far from where it flows into Silver Creek.

The city was expecting a contractor to begin repairs soon. The DNR recommends keeping children and pets away from the area until 24 to 48 hours after repairs are complete. The city is collecting water samples in Little and Silver creeks for laboratory analysis.