SPIRIT LAKE – The Great Lakes Sanitary Sewer District discovered a wastewater discharge at 10:30 a.m. following an electrical failure at a N. Lagoon Street pumping station located in the city of Spirit Lake.
The district estimates a maximum of 15,000 gallons of untreated wastewater reached Lazy Lagoon on the northwest shore of West Lake Okoboji, sometime after 8 a.m. Wednesday.
The district quickly stopped the discharge. However, wastewater overflowed through two manhole lids along the northeast side of Lazy Lagoon, running about 15 feet into the lagoon. The affected area is roughly 350 feet north of the boat ramp.
The district is liming the affected areas. DNR recommends anglers, children and pets avoid the limed grassy areas for at least 24 hours.
DNR is monitoring the cleanup.