An estimated 10,000 gallons of untreated industrial wastewater was released into Storm Lake’s sewers early this (Wednesday) morning due to an equipment failure at a meat processing facility. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), investigators were notified of the issue at approximately 2 a.m. by Tyson Fresh Meats employees. The sewers in that area empty into a detention pond on Storm Lake’s northeast shore. City crews began pumping water from the pond around 3 a.m. to prevent it from reaching the lake. Despite these efforts, the city reports an indeterminate amount of wastewater likely made it through. Water samples have been collected to test for indications of pollutants in the lake. The DNR is monitoring the situation and will consider appropriate enforcement actions.