STORM LAKE, IOWA – An incident Saturday at the Tyson pork plant in Storm Lake resulted in wastewater flowing into a storm sewer and a warning from the DNR to keep kids and pets clear.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) responded to a bypass at the Tyson Fresh Meats pork plant on Saturday, October 8, 2016. The bypass occurred when a lift station pump failed and caused a power failure at two lift stations. Approximately 1,000 gallons of wastewater from the yards overflowed into the storm sewer. Tyson staff shut down production, identified the problem and returned the lift stations to operation.
The City of Storm Lake responded and were able to contain some of the wastewater and pumped it into the City’s sanitary sewer system. However, an unknown amount reached the lake. The wastewater entered the lake near the intersection of Flindt and Lakeshore Drives. The DNR recommended keeping children and pets away from this area for the next 48 hours.
The DNR says it will consider appropriate enforcement action.