An unknown amount of untreated wastewater leaked into Storm Lake Monday night after escaping through a failing valve according to a report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The discharge occurred after the City of Storm Lake closed a pumping station on the west side of the lake. The leak was not discovered until Tuesday morning, and the city immediately pumped out the untreated water in the pumping station, corrected the leaking valve and stopped the flow of wastewater. City officials reported the incident to the DNR following the discovery of the problem and plan to fill the area with concrete to prevent any future leaks. The exact amount of wastewater released into the lake is unknown, but the city estimates it was a very small amount. The DNR cautions citizens to keep children and pets away from the inlet between Little Storm Lake and Storm Lake for the next 24 hours.
