Manawa trying to keep its wastewater treatment plant from flooding

Volunteers fill sandbags to try to protect the wastewater treatment plant in Manawa form rising floodwaters April 15, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online

MANAWA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The city of Manawa is working to prevent its wastewater treatment plant from flooding.

On Wednesday, dozens of volunteers helped fill and stack sandbags along the perimeter, which is at risk of flooding from the Little Wolf River.

“I’ve been out here probably about 2 and a half hours filling sandbags and tying,” said Rachel Holzschuch, one of the volunteers. “To have a community come together, I mean we’ve got fire departments from around our town that have come to help, all these people. I drove an hour, so I’m just here to help. I think it’s fantastic.”

If the plant were to flood, residents would lose access to plumbing and the city would see massive repair costs. The park beside the plant is expected to be closed through the summer because of the flood damage.

Both volunteer crews and county officials began their work at 5 a.m. and they say they will continue their work until the risk is gone.

“The water is staying behind our embankments, so it’s holding it’s looking good,” said Waupaca County Emergency Management Director Zac Van Asten. “As long was the water stays away, I know we have more rain I the forecast.”

Mayor Frazier says the turnout of volunteers like Holzschuh has been nothing short of amazing.

“At one time I would say easily sandbagging we had over 150 people, because there was a line along the north side of the wastewater plant that was actually sandbag by sandbag to build it up.”