UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — As part of ongoing clean-up efforts of a creek discolored by an excess of hog waste fertilizer east of Carey known as Poverty Run, residents in the affected areas are encouraged to have their wells tested for potential contamination.
Most at risk of contamination are the wells directly next to the creek and those with shallow wells in the affected area. The affected area includes areas in the vicinity of the creek from the areas of Poverty Run Road in the north and Ohio 103 in the south. Those in the affected area will not be charged for a well water sample. Costs will be covered by the organization responsible for the contaminated waterway. Wyandot County Public Health can assist those on the outskirts of the affected area in determining the need for water sampling.
To schedule a well water sample, contact Wyandot County Public Health by calling 419-294-3852 and selecting Option #1 to reach the Environmental Health Division. To take a sample, Wyandot County Public Health Registered Environmental Health Specialists must access water from inside the home. A resident must be present for the duration of the water sample, which is able to be completed in less than 30 minutes.
Typically, water samples are collected by Wyandot County Public Health on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings. Due to the nature of this incident, sample collection times have been extended to provide flexibility for residents in the affected areas. Samples may be scheduled until noon Friday, Aug. 15 to allow delivery time before the lab closes. Water samples must be submitted to the lab within 24 hours of being taken to ensure accurate results. Due to lab hours, samples cannot be collected on Saturday and Sunday. Sample collections will resume as needed on Monday, Aug. 18.
Individuals who are not in the affected area may also request well water samples either through a certified water testing lab or through Wyandot County Public Health for a lab fee of $75.
The discolored creek water was reported to Wyandot County Public Health on Sunday, Aug. 10. 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 reported to the scene Sunday to determine the cause and assess risk to the public and wildlife.
The Ohio EPA determined the cause of discoloration was excess hog manure used as fertilizer on a nearby field. Wyandot County EMA indicated the manure was overapplied to the field due to a mechanical malfunction of the manure spraying machine. The fertilizer spray entered field drainage tile, from which it traveled to the waterway.
As of Wednesday afternoon, cleanup efforts directed by the Ohio EPA now include the vacuuming and draining of the creek along with continued aeration of the water. Currently three pumps are running to add air to the water to protect wildlife in the water way. Two pumps are set up along Township Road 18, and a third is located at Township Road 16. Traffic has been diverted with barricades at Township Roads 16 and 18 and at County Road 106 where much of the cleanup effort is focused.
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.
The Wyandot County EMA, Wyandot County Public Health, state partners and the organization that applied the fertilizer to the field are continuing to collaborate to address this situation. Updates will be shared as information becomes available through the health department website at WyandotHealth.com.
