Unknown substance spills near Bear Creek in Warren
WARREN, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) - An unknown substance spill near Bear Creek in Warren is under investigation.
The city of Warren, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shared details on the Feb. 8 spill.
Officials said the public should stay away from the creek, but drinking water is safe.
A non-rain water substance was found, and the source came from a small industrial area, officials said. The spill substance came from a facility, but city leaders didn't share the exact business or what the facility holds.
EPA says it is addressing the storm sewage system and is expected to contain the spill. Results of the substance are expected in the next 24 hours, according to officials.
For resident Karen Alexander, who lives nearby, her Wednesday afternoon consisted of walking outside and spotting a greenish hue in the creek.
Her first concern was whether or not the water was being treated.
"We got a little fearful because we don't want that stuff baking up in our sewage down in the basements," she said.
Bear Creek is a tributary to the Clinton River that discharges into Lake St. Clair.
All drinking water treatments in the area of the spill were alerted to take action, but none have been needed, according to EGLE.
The spill was different than a typical spill, but officials said they weren't able to identify it based on initial testing.
City leaders say they believe they stopped the source of the contamination.
