A wastewater spill from a Tyson Foods pork factory hit storm sewers in Storm Lake last week.

According to a release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the wastewater began flowing into a storm sewer around 2:45 a.m. and flowed for about a half-hour. The cause was likely a pump failure in the plant.

According to the DNR, the leak released around 16,500 gallons of wastewater however its not known how much of the water reached Storm Lake.

According to Food Manufacturing, water samples from the lake indicate no expected environmental issues from the spill.

According to local news outlets, Tyson released a statement saying

We took immediate action to contain the accidental release of water from the plant and are working cooperatively with city and state officials as we continue to implement our containment and cleanup measures and further evaluate the matter.

The DNR is monitoring the cleanup.

Photo by Hannes Johnson on Unsplash

SPAM Receives Tax Benefits

Tax benefits for three Iowa Businesses were approved by the Iowa Economic Development Authority board, according to Radio Iowa. These benefits come with the promise of 84 new jobs.

Hormel Foods Corporation plans to add new equipment to its subsidiary in Dubuque. This will be used to expand the company’s SPAM production line to keep up with increasing demand.

In 2021, SPAM sales hit a record high for the seventh year in a row. The COVID Pandemic played a partial role in this increase. When the pandemic hit, people sought more wallet-friendly and shelf-stable pantry options.

These tax incentives promise 38 new jobs for Hormel Foods.

Other businesses seeing benefits from approved tax benefits include Klauer Manufacturing Company of Dubuque to expand its sheet metal business and 3M’ Knoxville facility which makes industrial tapes.

OPINION - This Cedar Valley Eyesore Needs To Be Demolished

In its heyday, the Rath Packing Company employed 8,500 people. It's still thought of fondly by many as what helped put Waterloo "on the map" and giving many area families a good income to raise their families. When rumors of bankruptcy started in 1979, the company became employee-owned in 1980. Despite many attempts to save it and massive amounts of money invested (from employees and loans from the city of Waterloo) all of those efforts ultimately failed, leading to its demise and liquidation in 1985.