The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says quick action helped stop a potential manure spill in Jefferson County.  The DNR reports manure spilled as applicators from Maynard Manure Management were pumping manure from the E and H Livestock operation about seven miles northeast of Fairfield around 6:30 p.m. Monday. Applicator John Widmer noticed manure running into an underground tile inlet and plugged the inlet. The inlet was part of the tile line that runs into North Walnut Creek, but Terry Jones, agent with DNR Field Office 6, says no manure reached the waterway thanks to Widmer’s quick action, “This is an example of how a fast response can prevent a potentially bigger problem, like a fish kill. The applicator dug down in the field and broke the tile line to recover the manure and ensure it couldn’t reach the creek. He was able to recover 800 gallons before flushing and pumping out the tile line with clean water to mop up any residual manure.” An estimated 800 to 1,000 gallons of manure may have been spilled with little, if any, reaching the creek. Water samples taken from North Walnut Creek by Jones showed no elevated ammonia levels or dead fish downstream. The DNR says they will monitor cleanup and consider appropriate enforcement action.