Crews cleaning up new chemical spill in Kalamazoo River
12:28 PM, Feb. 1, 2012 |
Battle Creek firefighter Mihaly Drabik hefts a section of oil boom on its way toward deployment in the Kalamazoo River after a minor chemical spill in the river discovered this morning. / Trace Christenson/The Enquirer
A minor chemical spill into the Kalamazoo River is being cleaned up this afternoon.
Battle Creek firefighters were called to the river at Sisson Avenue about 11 a.m. for a report of what appeared to be kerosene or fuel oil.
The contamination was traced to a drain that dumps into a small creek that flows into the Kalamazoo River near Territorial Road and Riverside Drive.
Firefighters have begun placing oil booms in the river to collect the chemical. The spill is causing a slight sheen on the river.
Workers from the city's wastewater treatment plant are attempting to figure out the source of the chemical.
New spill on Kalamazoo River raises water safety questions
February 02, 2012 7:46 AM
Booms placed in the water to contain the spill.
WEST MICHIGAN (NEWSCHANNEL 3) – Right now there's concern that a fuel spill in the Kalamazoo River could threaten a community's drinking water.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that several hundred gallons of diesel fuel, or something similar spilled into the river.
The spill was spotted Wednesday in a drainage ditch in Battle Creek and now the EPA believes it has reached as far as Galesburg.
The EPA says there was a nearly identical spill in the same place in February of 2011, but they still don't know where it's coming from.
Between the Enbridge oil spill and these two unexplained diesel spills, there have been a lot of toxic chemicals heading down the Kalamazoo River, which wraps itself right around Augusta's water wells and the village isn't sure what to do.
“Well, obviously we're worried about any compromise to the village water supply,” said Augusta Police Chief Jeff Heppler.
Heppler says he knew something was up when he saw EPA and Enbridge workers along the river in Augusta Wednesday afternoon.
“They were checking to see how far it had progressed down the river,” said Heppler.
The EPA says Enbridge volunteered to help with the spill, but has no reason to believe Enbridge had anything to do with it.
Regardless of the cause, Heppler says the effects are running right by Augusta's water wells, and that could be a problem for the more than 1,000 people who depend on them.
“Ever have any problems with your tap water, notice any funny tastes, have any concerns at all?” asked Newschannel 3's Jared Werksma.
“I've never noticed anything,” said Augusta resident Lori Martin. “I don't drink the tap water.”
However Martin says the newest family member does.
“The dog, the dog does,” said Martin.
And with three toxic spills in the last 18 months running right above and around the wells, there are at least questions.
“Absolutely, and how old is the pump station that's cleaning up the water and pulling it from the wells?” said Martin.
There are precautions currently in place.
“Enbridge has installed some monitoring wells,” said Heppler.
And so far, so good, but Heppler says Augusta has looked into tapping water supplies from other cities and even moving the wells.
“How much money are we talking about?” asked Newschannel 3's Jared Werksma.
“Our estimates are close to one and a half to two million dollars,” said Heppler.
“Does Augusta have that kind of money?”
“No,” said Heppler.
However, that may not matter.
“We have to make sure we have a safe water supply for our citizens,” said Heppler.
Heppler says if the Village Council decides the wells do need to be moved, it will likely take a bond to get it done. For now, the village will continue working with the EPA and the DNR to monitor its water supply.
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