(Storm Lake)– An equipment failure at Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. in Storm Lake early this (Wednesday) morning resulted in a release of untreated wastewater.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says it was notified around 2:00 am by Tyson officials. The company estimated about 10,000 gallons of wastewater was discharged into the city’s storm sewers before it could be stopped. The storm sewers empty into a detention pond near E. Lakeshore Drive and Flindt Drive in Storm Lake. City crews started pumping out the pond around 3:00 am to try to prevent the wastewater from getting into Storm Lake. However city officials say an unknown amount of the wastewater likely did reach the lake.
Water samples have been collected to test for any contamination.
The DNR says it will “consider appropriate enforcement action”.
