Hazardous spill in Tanyard Branch leaves fish dead
BY BRUCE BRANUM
EPA and ADEM were in town to investigate. (Bruce Branum | The Standard)
Pictured are dead fish at the Cunningham Street Bridge in Greenville. (Bruce Branum | The Standard)
The Greenville Standard
On Monday, Oct. 29 the smell of dead fish permeated the Cunningham Street bridge after a recent hazardous spill upstream left its death toll on several aquatic species in Tanyard Branch.
Residents along the branch noticed a strong odor and reported the smell to E911 on Oct. 24.
A press release by Greenville Mayor Dexter McLendon, Thursday, Oct. 25, stated, “On Wednesday morning, Greenville Fire Department was made aware of a possible hazardous material situation on Beeland Street along the creek and stretching to Cunningham Street bridge in Greenville.
“The source of the hazmat was unknown. Butler County Emergency Management Agency was contacted. EMA contacted state and federal agencies to assist with determining the source and clean-up efforts.
“Federal agencies have taken samples and tested air quality throughout the ¾ mile area affected. They will continue to test the air quality in this area. The public has not been in any danger. The incident is isolated to this area and is due to a recent spill within the past week.
“Beeland Street will remain closed until the cleanup is complete.”
Sock booms were deployed to capture the contaminate by environmental cleanup crews at several locations where Tanyard Branch flows under streets, including Cedar Street, Luverne Highway (Hwy. 10) and Cunningham Street.
The Greenville Police Department, Butler County Emergency Management Agency, and federal and state environmental agencies have been working to determine the actual location, suspect(s), and chemical nature of the discharge.
No warnings of adverse health effects have been released as of Monday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m.
