(Storm Lake)– A state of emergency has been declared in Storm Lake due to worsening problems at the city’s water treatment plant.
A second filter at the plant failed around 5:00 p.m. Thursday…leaving the city with only two filters in operation. The first one failed last Friday.
It’s resulted in increased restrictions on water usage and has forced two major meatpackers in the city to curtail operations. I-B-P and Bil Mar Foods have pretty much halted production for today (Fri.).
Residential water customers in Storm Lake have also been asked to severely curtail usage. Car washing has been banned…with commercial operations being shut down. Outdoor watering has also been banned for residential, commercial and industrial users.
Officials say emergency repairs on one of the filters are to get underway today (Fri.).
