SIOUX RAPIDS, Iowa — Several wastewater treatment plants in northwest Iowa have been out of commission due to widespread flooding in the area, but crews are stepping up to help.
In Sioux Rapids, their plant was a complete loss as the Little Sioux River rose to historic levels.
On Thursday, the Iowa Rural Water Association deployed their emergency mobile pump to maintain water in the city's tower, ensuring citizens would have enough water for flood clean up and sanitary use.
"Nearby communities provided water to fill the tankers that were ultimately used to fill the 100,000 gallon storage tank in Sioux Rapids, who typically uses around 60,000 gallons per day," said John Lins with the IRWA.
Now, with flood waters receding, the city is hoping to have their treatment plant back online by early next week. The emergency mobile pump can also offload 18,000 gallons of water per hour to satisfy the needs of a community, Lins added.
This is the second time the mobile pump has been utilized in a natural disaster this year.
Back in May, it was used in Minden, near Council Bluffs, after a tornado destroyed their wastewater treatment plant.