Carey-area creek cleanup to take 3 days

CAREY — After a resident noticed discolored water in what is known as Poverty Run Creek just east of Carey early Sunday, the water was tested and the cause of the discoloration was found to be excess hog manure that had run off of a nearby crop field due to the mechanical failure of farming machinery spreading the fertilizer. A Wednesday release from Wyandot Public Health states manure was overapplied to a field due to the mechanical malfunction, and the fertilizer spray entered field drainage tile, from which it traveled to the waterway. Callan McMillion, public health educator for the Wyandot County Public Health Department, said the recent lack of rain was part of the issue. "Think of it like a dry potted plant," she said. "It just went into the tile drainage, it didn't soak in." To mitigate the immediate effects of the spill, Wyandot County EMA director Dan Cole responded to the scene with the Ohio EPA, Wyandot County Soil and Water Conservation and Wyandot County Health Department and started aerating the water in an attempt to help the impacted wildlife. Starting Wednesday, county organizations have also been working to drain the creek and barricades have been placed at Township roads 16 and 18 and County Road 106 to ensure no one has extended exposure to the area. As for the radius of the affected area, the Ohio EPA advises areas one mile of the creek — meaning the areas between Poverty Run Road in the north and Ohio 103 to the south, as well as one mile outward from the creek to the east and west as well — could have been affected. McMillion said the spill was contained fairly quickly. "It's pretty centralized to Poverty Run Creek," she said. Cole said he had been told cleanup would last approximately three days. As of Wednesday afternoon, a release from Wyandot Public Health states, cleanup efforts directed by the Ohio EPA include the vacuuming and draining of the creek along and continued aeration of the water. Three pumps are running to add air to the water to protect wildlife in the water way, it states. Two pumps are set up along Township Road 18, and a third is located at Township Road 16. "The responsible party is taking responsibility for the accident and doing the due diligence," Cole said. A Tuesday release about the incident reported extended exposure to hog manure in large concentrations through air or water can cause headaches and nausea. The health department suggests people stay away from the cleanup area, and see a doctor if they experience headache, nausea or other unexplained symptoms. Anyone in the nearby area concerned about well-water contamination can have their water tested by the Wyandot County Public Health Department, with the lab fee covered by the responsible agency. To schedule a well water sample, contact Wyandot County Public Health by calling 419-294-3852 and selecting Option #1 to reach the Environmental Health Division. To take a sample, Wyandot County Public Health Registered Environmental Health Specialists must access water from inside the home. A resident must be present for the duration of the sampling, which can be completed in less than 30 minutes. Wyandot County Public Health is extending its sample collection times have been extended for residents in the affected areas. Samples may be scheduled until noon Friday to allow delivery time before the lab closes. Water samples must be submitted to the lab within 24 hours of being taken to ensure accurate results. Due to lab hours, samples cannot be collected on Saturday and Sunday. Sample collections will resume as needed on Monday.