Diesel-Contaminated Creek Reopened For Residents

State officials, contractors sill working to mitigate impact

Humboldt Sentinel
News 6/3/08
By Sentinel Staff

MIRANDA -- Residents around the north fork of Hacker Creek can resume using local drinking supplies as county and state officials announced today that their water test samples are now turning up clean.

An effort coordinated among several state and county agencies, including the county's Division of Environmental Health, followed the May 14 discovery of an estimated 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled in the Hacker Creek area. Fuel tests up to 1,500 yards below the spill area confirm that the creek water is no longer being impacted by petroleum, although additional tests will be conducted over the next few days to confirm these findings.

DEH, state Fish and Game and the Regional Water Quality Control Board are working with private contractors SHN Consulting and North Coast Environmental Construction to contain the spill with oil absorbent booms, pads and other materials. Contractors have also dug an interceptor ditch to divert diesel from the area around the creek.

Officials are still advising caution from residents who draw water from Hacker Creek. Specifically, DEH is advising residents to treat drinking water with chlorine, flush their wells and creek intake systems to ensure that spill-impacted water is removed, and to watch for fuel odor and petroleum sheen in the water.

Additional information can be obtained from DEH by calling (707) 445-6215.