PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WJW) – Authorities have been notified after a white substance was seen floating in the Grand River on Saturday evening.
The contaminant turned out to be what firefighters describe as a “non-toxic vegetable oil product”, which was accidentally released into the water by the Painesville Township-based Erie International chemical plant.
A contaminant dam was placed over the water Saturday by the Lake County Dangerous Response Team near the Grand River Landing Metropark.
Several Ohio agencies continue to monitor the spill and say that at this time no fish or wildlife have been affected.
While the park remains open, those wanting to get out on the water are asked not to go past the boom at the North St. Clair Street Bridge.
Officials plan to suck up the spill once everything reaches the dam.