Chemical solution spilled into Putnam storm sewers

5/2/2002

OTTAWA, Ohio - Emergency crews spent Tuesday night and part of yesterday trying to contain a spill of ethylene glycol from a local industry into storm sewers.

Steven Odenweller, coordinator of the Putnam County Office of Public Safety, said 50 to 200 gallons of the anti-freeze-type solution were released into the storm sewers on Locust Street about 9:30 p.m. A truck backing into the dock area at RK Industries apparently hit a guardrail support, which loosened pipelines carrying the solution.

Some of the spill was retained in a holding area below the broken pipes, while sand bags were placed inside the storm sewer and at Tawa Run about a quarter-mile away to contain runoff. Booms were put in the stream as a precaution.

Mr. Odenweller said the storm sewers were flushed and the contaminated water collected by a Lima cleanup company. The accident is under investigation.