Ga. to release results from polluted creek

August 4, 2010
Associated Press | Ledger-enquirer.com

ATHENS, Ga. -- Environmental regulators plan to release test results from an Athens creek that turned blue because it was contaminated with toilet boil cleaner and other chemicals during a fire.
The state's Environmental Protection Division has ordered tests from the Trail Creek. An agency spokesman says the results could be released Wednesday.

The creek was contaminated last week when the nearby J&J Chemical Co. caught fire and burned. Environmental officials say water used to put out the fire mixed with chemicals in the plant and drained into the creek. It empties into the North Oconee River.

DEP officials say toiler-cleaner dye turned the creek blue. They suspect methanol, paradichlorobenzene and a formaldehyde solution also entered the waterway.

Oconee River Chemical Spill more details >>