(Updated 4/29) – Red Oak fertilizer spill contained & is being cleaner-up
April 29th, 2015 by Ric Hanson
Officials with the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday afternoon, that the spill at Nachurs Alpine Nutrition plant has been contained, and was in the process of being cleaned up. Crews worked throughout the night pumping out the waterway between Nachurs and the east side of the levy.
Crews were expected to begin work on the area between the Nishnabotna River and the west side of levy this (Wednesday) afternoon, to remove any standing water. Over the next several days and possibly the next couple of weeks, crews will be in the area along the creek to remove any contaminated soil.
The DNR is continuing to investigate, but at this time officials say it appears that the water was pumped out of a containment pool into the waterway before it was realized that the water color had changed. There was no tank or line rupture, and there is no immediate harm or life safety risk to the public nor has there been.
As far as the environmental hazard to any fish, it appears to be minimal as the majority of the substance stayed within the creek however that will continue to be monitored by the Iowa DNR. The Montgomery County EMA says while work is being completed, residents of Red Oak will see a presence of heavy equipment in the area. You’re asked to avoid the area while those crews are operating.
As previously mentioned, there is no life safety risk to the public nor has there been. The DNR does urge that small children or pets stay out of the creek between the Nishnabotna River and Nachurs.
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