State and local officials are working to determine how much transformer fluid leaked into the Pine River on Tuesday. They say the spill started at a residential property in Gratiot county, but it was reported as far away as Midland.
Officials in Midland county say the fluid was visible as a five-mile long sheen just upstream from the Tittabawasee river near the city’s tridge. But officials say, the actual spill occurred over 20 miles away on a creek that feeds the Pine River.
Nick Assendelft is with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. He said a property owner was cleaning a transformer when some fluid appears to have spilled.
“The fluid inside which is dielectric fluid, which is similar to mineral oil, some of that apparently had spilled into a drain on the property and that drain emptied out into the river which ended up heading all the way down to the Pine River.”
Assendelft said it is not yet clear how much of the fluid made it into the river system.
“We certainly don’t want anyone going to wade into the river or that type of thing until we have all that determination made,” he said. “But anytime something leaks into the river we’re concerned for the environment.”
State testing of the spill has come back negative for PCBs, a man made chemical that has been linked to health problems including birth defects and cancer.
Assendelft said the spill is still a concern, but less so given the findings.
In a press release, Midland County Officials said booms placed in the water overnight have absorbed little to no oil. According to the release cleanup efforts have collected “most of the spill.”
Assendelft said the spill is considered contained and the department is in the “active recovery” phase.
He said further investigation is needed to determine whether the resident could face charges for the spill.