Acid spill contaminates Parley's Creek

Residents and recreationists are are being told to stay out of Parley's Creek for the next few days.

Unified Fire Authority crews were working Friday to clean an acid spill from the creek starting just below Mountain Dell Reservoir.

Between 1,500 to 1,600 gallons of hydrofluorosilicic acid, used in water fluoridation, overflowed from its storage tank at the Mountain Dell Water Treatment Plant into the creek.

Crews were still trying to figure out Friday exactly when the spill occurred. Different workers say alarms notifying them of a problem went off anywhere from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m., said UFA spokesman Travis Hanberg. Haz-mat crews weren't called until between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m.

The chemical could be lethal if ingested or be a severe irritant to anyone wading in the water. Because of that, crews are concerned about residents and their dogs getting into the creek, Hanberg said. Wildlife Services is also assisting to make sure non-domestic animals are protected, he said.

As a precaution, the area of the creek being watched by health and fire officials stretched from the treatment plant, about 6600 East, to Tanner's Park, about 2300 East.

UFA expected to have firefighters at the creek most of Friday taking measurements and keeping the acid spill from spreading. Hanberg said people should anticipate staying out of the creek for up to five days as a precaution.