STORM LAKE, Iowa — The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) released a statement on Feb. 19 confirming it is investigating a water treatment-related equipment failure at a Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. plant in Storm Lake, Iowa.

The facility discharged untreated wastewater into the city’s storm sewers early in the morning on Feb. 18. Officials at the Tyson plant notified Iowa DNR around 2 a.m. that day and estimated that 10,000 gallons were lost before they could stop the wastewater.

“We’re working with the City of Storm Lake to address water that left our pork plant due to a loss of power,” said Tyson Fresh Meats spokesperson Liz Croston. “Some water did reach the stormwater drain leading to a detention pond and ultimately the lake. We took immediate action to contain and mitigate the issue. We will continue to cooperate with the City and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.”

The city of Storm Lake began pumping from a pond nearby to prevent process wastewater from entering the lake. City staff did say that an unknown amount of wastewater likely entered the lake.

Storm Lake officials collected water samples to test for indications of wastewater in the lake. DNR said in a news release that it will look into proper enforcement action.