UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — Wyandot County Public Health is aware of a “purple” color in a creek east of Carey known as Poverty Run in the area of County Highway 16 and Township Highway 105.
A report was made on Sunday, Aug. 10 to Wyandot County Public Health. As a result, local and state partners including the Wyandot County Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources were alerted and reported to the scene to determine the cause and assess risk to the public and wildlife.
As of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Ohio EPA determined the cause was an overuse of hog manure as fertilizer on nearby fields. The excess waste washed into the creek. Three pumps are now running to add air to the water to help clean it, with two pumps along Township Road 18 and one along Township Road 16.
Exposure to hog feces in high concentrations through air or water may cause illness and symptoms such as headaches and nausea. The public should stay away from the area as cleanup efforts continue. Individuals who have visited this area should follow up with a healthcare provider if they experience headache, nausea, or any other unexplained symptoms.
Individuals with wells near the creek may wish to test their well water for contamination. Most at risk of contamination are those directly next to the creek and those with shallow wells in the affected area. Local certified water testing laboratories can be contacted to assist homeowners in evaluating their own wells. Wyandot County Public Health also offers water sampling services on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings for a $75 lab fee.
The Wyandot County EMA, Wyandot County Public Health, and state partners are working closely together to address this situation. Updates will be shared on WyandotHealth.com as information becomes available through the health department website and via the health department's Facebook page.
