Birds sickened in wastewater ponds

(AP) - An investigation is underway to determine why about 20 loons and grebes at wastewater treatment ponds in Ironton have become sick.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency are looking into the sickness at the Serpent Lake Sanitary District, which is located northeast of Brainerd.

Officials say the problem was first reported Monday. The birds can't fly and are having a hard time swimming. Two grebes have died, while three loons and three grebes have been taken to an animal rehabilitation center.

The MPCA has taken water and sludge samples from the ponds, which are in north central Minnesota near Brainerd.

Besides the wastewater ponds, officials are looking at whether any industrial discharges in the area need to be sampled.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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