Chemical spill leaks into Desoto creek; no contamination of water
Following a Saturday chemical spill into Hernando’s Mussacuna Creek, Desoto and Mississippi officials have determined there was no contamination of ground or drinking water.
The city of Hernando Fire Department responded Saturday morning to a fire at Schulz Xtruded Products (SXP), a German-based manufacturer of pipes used in the oil and gas industries, on Mccracken Rd.
The fire was contained but it was determined that a mixture of the chemical hydrofluoric acid and a nontoxic degreaser had spilled from a container and into Mussacuna Creek. The Desoto County government posted on Facebook that the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the Desoto County EMA were notified and crews from MDEQ immediately came from Vicksburg to oversee the cleanup process.
Initial testing showed slightly lower than average PH levels and crews built a dam along the creek near Robertson Gin Road so they could treat the creek water, Desoto government said. Crews also added soda ash to the creek to neutralize the acid, which was effective, and by Sunday morning, the PH of the creek water was back in the normal range of 7 and the temporary dam was removed.
There was no contamination of drinking or ground water, Desoto government said. As a precaution, soil samples will be taken along the creek to make sure. The MDEQ crew returned to Vicksburg, but is expected back in Hernando in the next day or two and environmental crews at SXP are expected to finish the cleanup of the facility by the end of the week.
Gina Butkovich covers Desoto County, storytelling and general news. She can be reached at 901-232-6714.