WARREN (WWJ) — Crews are continuing to clean Warren's Bear Creek after a chemical spill turned the water bluish-green and prompted a response from state and federal agencies this week.
Norb Franz, Macomb County Public Works communications manager, said in a prepared statement that lab results run by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) of water and sediment samples taken from the Bear Creek Drain in Warren are expected to be completed at any time and posted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s website as soon as possible.
The unknown substance was discovered on Wednesday, Feb. 7, after a construction contractor working on replacement of a culvert beneath Mound Road near 11 Mile Road -- as part of the ongoing Innovate Mound project -- noticed a blue-colored substance in the water.
The construction crew then alerted an inspector with the Macomb County Public Works Office.
“We quickly notified city officials and county and state agencies – including the governor’s office -- to ensure rapid response and a full investigation,” Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller said. “Our Public Works team also quickly notified an environmental services contractor to place booms along the surface of the open-channel portion of the Bear Creek Drain. While some foam on the surface was blocked, the unknown substance is water soluble and continued to flow to the Red Run Drain.”
Investigators were able to trace the spill upstream to a closed industrial building, identified as Fini Finish Custom Plating -- a metal treating operation -- at 24657 Mound Road just south of 10 Mile Road.
When officials gained entry into the unoccupied facility, they found significant buildup of material on the floor. They also noted small buckets and drums of material present.
"Warren city officials reviewed water usage and indicated a large spike in water usage on Jan. 24. It is suspected the spill was caused when a frozen water pipe in the building burst and washed some chemical into the storm drain," the MCPW department said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took the lead in the investigation as of Thursday, stating the owner of the building had purchased the property last fall and had hired a contractor with plans to clean the building interior being finalized on Thursday.
Authorities took samples from two locations for testing that can detect the presence of 10 metals.
It is not immediately clear how much of the material might have spilled into the storm drain leading to the Bear Creek Drain.
Residents are being told the drinking water is not impacted, but they're asked to stay away from the creek until cleanup is over.
"There are not any close downstream water intakes, but out of an abundance of caution, we did notify the drinking water treatment plants in the area so they can be on alert and be aware of the situation to take any actions if needed," said Melinda Steffler with the EGLE.
Warren Mayor Lori M. Stone released a similar message to residents.
“The public health and safety of our residents is of the utmost importance to us,” said Stone. “I want to reiterate that our drinking water is safe and we are taking every measure to resolve this. I also want to thank our city, county, state, and federal agencies for their rapid response to this event.”
City officials say updates will be provided through the city website, Warren TV and Warren CAN (Community Alert Network).
The investigation and cleanup of Bear Creek is a combined effort from multiple agencies, including Warren Waste Water Treatment, Warren Water Department, Warren Fire Department, Warren Emergency City Manager, Macomb County Public Works Office, EGLE, and the EPA.
This is a developing story. Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest updates as they become available. >>> LISTEN LIVE!