The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Ford plant chemical spill enters Lake Erie
A chemical spill at the Ford Motor Company plant in Avon Lake has entered Lake Erie.
According to a release from the Ohio EPA, as much as 5,000 gallons of a rust-proofing material was released from a 50,000-gallon storage tank and into a storm sewer at Ford’s Ohio Assembly Plant at 650 Miller Road before an unknown amount of the material entered the lake due to a valve failure.
Ford Plant Manager Debbie Manzano said the spill occurred in the paint department of the
plant and was part of the process used in the painting of vehicles.
Manzano indicated they became aware of the problem on the evening of June 24 and began cleanup and containment procedures. On June 25, Ford officials saw evidence the material had spread to areas outside of the premises and began coordinating with the proper authorities at this point.
“We are obviously very committed to the community and we are working very closely with the Ohio
EPA and the Coast Guards. They are supporting us through this event and at this point we are making great progress,” Manzano said.
At Avon Lake City Council city officials addressed the ongoing situation. Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka said he was notified about 10:30 p.m., June 25, by a telephone call from the fire marshal, who is Assistant Fire Chief Jeffery Moore.
Public Works Director Joe Reitz said the spill was accidental and environmental cleanup crews would be working throughout the night at Miller Road Park.
“The accidental spill from the Ford plant did
get into the storm sewer at the western Avon Lake industrial storm sewer which does come out at Miller Road Park, But they have contained the spill and they have been very aggressive on the cleanup effort,” Reitz said.
Reitz added Ford is dedicated to resolving the issue as soon as possible and are bringing in people from other plants to address the situation.
“They will be on site with every person they can,” Reitz said.
Officials held three briefings on June 26 in coordinating cleanup efforts and will reassess the situation on the morning of June 27. Local, state and federal
have been using Miller Road Park as a base of operations to coordinate their efforts.
With the spill contained the remaining priority in the cleanup efforts is to clean the storm sewer between Walker Road and Lake Road, Reitz said.
According to the Ohio EPA , the spill has been contained and is no longer discharging into Lake Erie. An initial impact assessment indicated the material did not show any known impact to fish or wildlife and the spill was contained to a small area.