Menasha continues relying on Neenah water months after tornado

MENASHA and NEENAH, Wis. – Menasha has relied on neighboring Neenah for tap water since July’s EF-3 tornado destroyed its water treatment plant.

An emergency network of underground pipes prevented a major crisis, but supplying multiple communities for months has created financial and logistical hurdles.

“It’s definitely been a drawn-out process. It’s taken a lot longer than anticipated,” said Adam Smith, water utility manager for Menasha Utilities.

After the EF-3 tornado leveled Menasha’s water filtration plant in late July, Smith turned to an underground connection already in place across city lines.