MONROE COUNTY, Michigan — The Monroe County Department of Public Health is asking people who use onsite drinking water, or well water, near the intersection of U.S. 23 and U.S. 223 to consider testing their supply after a diesel fuel leak in the area Thursday.
Environmental crews were working to contain the spill and find the source of the leak Thursday afternoon, the department said in a press release.
There is no threat to the municipal drinking water supply. Any residents with concerns can consider using bottled water.
"A diesel oil sheen and smell was discovered from the point of origin and as far south as Hicker Road in the North Branch Ottawa River," the health department said. "Current efforts at containment include the placement of absorption booms in the NBOR near Erie and Sterns Road, along with vacuum trucks near the origin to contain and remove the contaminated water/sheen from entering the NBOR."
Residents are also encouraged to report "any unusual change in the taste or smell of their water," said MCHD Environmental Health Director Chris Westover.
The MCHD said Friday they will begin gathering resident contact information of those impacted by the diesel fuel leak, including residents who would like their onsite drinking water supply sampled.
Sampling of the water will begin the week of April 1.
“The sampling will begin at those residences that are most likely to be affected. Generally, these include those homes immediately adjacent to areas where an oil sheen was observed in the waterway. From there, the sampling may expand outward, depending on the results nearest the waterway,” Chris Westover, Environmental Health Director for MCHD said.
The health department said residents living with onsite drinking water supply, or well water, immediately adjacent to North Branch Ottawa River, also known as Tenmile Creek moving south, may call or email MCHD to provide their contact information.
Affected residents will be contacted to set an appointment to collect drinking water samples.
MCHD, along with the Michigan Departments of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and Health and Human Services, will decide if sampling locations need to be expanded as they receive sample results, the health department said.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact the Environmental Health Division at 734-240-7900 or eh_frontdesk@monroemi.org.
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