City officials reported great progress Monday in repairing the water treatment plant — but restaurants will have to remain closed for several more days.

City Administrator Brent Trout said water and mud that infiltrated the plant during Sunday’s flooding has been removed.

Repair crews are now working to restore the system, he told the City Council meeting in special session Monday afternoon.

City Engineer Mark Rahm said water will be restored in two phases.

In the first phase, the system will be energized with potable water — non-drinking water but water that will allow residents to flush toilets and take baths and showers. It is also important for use by firefighters.

The go-ahead for that could come today, he said.

The second phase, providing water suitable to drink, will take longer, he said, because the Department of Natural Resources must conduct a series of tests on it that could take several days.

“The water has to pass the tests two consecutive times. If it doesn’t, we start the tests over. They’ll tell us when it’s a go,” said Rahm.

The council also heard from City Planner Tricia Sandahl, who said 25 to 30 homes have been deemed uninhabitable.

She said anyone whose property has incurred flood damage should keep a record of it. Cerro Gordo County is expected to be declared a federal disaster area.

When that happens, representatives of the Federal Emergency Management Agency will set up shop in Mason City and take damage reports. Residents have the chance of having their flood-related expenses reimbursed.

Sandahl said a series of neighborhood meetings will be held in the next few weeks to inform residents about federal flood relief.

Operations and Maintenance Manager Bill Stangler told the council that while the water plant was inundated with mud and water Sunday, a near crisis occurred at the city’s wastewater treatment plant because of rising waters.

“We came within 4 inches of having to shut down the plant. It’s the nearest I’ve had to a catastrophe in my 34 years with the city,” he said.

Stangler said the city is in the process of making improvements to the wastewater plant because it is old and near capacity for treating water.

“This is why we’re doing what we’re doing — but the flood came before the repairs were made,” he said.

Stangler said problems in the Hampshire area occurred when water went up over the levee. “It did not break,” he said. “The water went over it.”

The council meeting capped a day filled with activities related to Sunday’s flooding.

Earlier Monday, Gov. Chet Culver stopped in Mason City, Clear Lake and Charles City to assess damage and thank city workers and volunteers for their help.

U.S. Rep. Tom Latham, R-Iowa, and Maj. Gen. Ron Dardis of the Iowa National Guard participated in a news conference with the governor at the Mason City Police Department.

Latham said he had contacted the White House as a first step in having the county declared a federal disaster area.

Dardis said his soldiers had completed their mission in Parkersburg and were ready to be deployed where ever they are needed.

Also Monday, Michele Appelgate, public information officer for the city, said there have been reports of basements collapsing. She urged residents not to pump out water more than six inches deep.

“By pumping outside, you are adding more pressure to the foundation. That causes basements to collapse,” she said.

Before leaving Mason City, Culver toured the Metalcraft plant, one of the hardest-hit businesses in Mason City and made stops in Clear Lake and Charles City Monday afternoon.

Culver said, “Every business in Mason City, has been impacted by this. Dozens have water damage. All restaurants have closed. There is a significant concern for business owners and for employees who are out of work.

“Our most immediate concern is public safety. Then we must mitigate the damage,” he said.

The governor said several other areas in North Iowa have experienced flood problems. Nashua lost its water treatment plant and three-fourths of New Hartford has been evacuated, he said.

Fifteen tanker trucks carrying thousands of gallons of water are coming into the state with five of the tankers coming to Mason City, said Culver.

In addition, two health trailers from Minnesota are providing water supplies to Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa. A spokesman for the American Red Cross said free flood cleanup kits are available at Southport Mall, the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and at the Clear Lake Middle School.

Free water was available Monday at the former Hobby Lobby store at the Southport Mall and at Kum & Go at 1224 N. Federal Ave.

Portable toilets were set up at Harding Elementary School, John Adams Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, Hoover Elementary School; City Hall; the plaza of Southbridge Mall; Newman Catholic School; and Madison Elementary School.

All 73 Cerro Gordo County inmates have been moved to county jails in Hardin, Hancock and Mitchell counties, until water is restored.