Chlorine leak causes evacuation around water treatment plant

[caption id="attachment_11698" align="alignleft" width="270"] North Iowa Hazmat members put on red hazardous material suits before entering the plant about 11 a.m. Upon exiting, Clear Lake Firefighters sprayed them off with water.[/caption]

A chlorine leak at the City’s Water Treatment Plant caused the evacuation of some homes and the closure of a portion of South Shore Drive Friday morning.

The Clear Lake Fire Department responded to the plant, located at 110 1st Ave. S., at 8:36 a.m. Friday, July 17. According to Fire Chief Doug Meyers, staff from the plant notified the CLFD after noticing the smell of chlorine inside the facility.

Upon the fire department’s arrival the immediate area around the plant was evacuated. South Shore Drive was closed from 4th Avenue North to City Park and some homes within a block proximity were evacuated as a precaution. Residents who didn’t leave were instructed to stay inside and keep windows and doors shut.  City Beach was also closed during the operation.

A technician level hazardous material team was requested and responded from Mason City.

A leak was found in a supply line from a 175 pound storage cylinder. The tank was shut off and the area allowed to ventilate and the line repaired.  Officials stressed the lake water was never in any danger because the chlorine was in gas form.

The CLFD was on the scene until 11:55 a.m.  No injuries were reported.

The Fire Department was assisted at the scene by the Clear Lake Police Department, Clear Lake Public Works, and the North Iowa Regional Hazardous Materials Response Team.