Efforts underway to contain white, nontoxic substance discovered in Grand River

Bill DeBus, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio
·2 min read
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Aug. 14—A white substance that was discovered in the Grand River over the weekend turned out to be a nontoxic vegetable-oil product accidentally released by a Painesville Township company, fire officials said.

At about 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13, the Painesville Township and Fairport Harbor fire departments were informed about a white material in the river.

The Lake County Hazardous Intervention Team responded and a containment boom from Lubrizol Corp. was placed on the river at Lake Metroparks Grand River Landing in Fairport Harbor Village.

"Once the product reaches the boom, it will be vacuumed off," according to a joint news release issued on Aug. 14 by the Fairport Harbor and Painesville Township fire departments.

Grand River Landing is based at 1181 N. Saint Clair St.

The source of the vegetable-oil product was Erie International Group. Located at 679 Hardy Road in Painesville Township, EIG is a manufacturer in the oleo-chemical sector that produces industrial- and feed-grade products.

EIG will be responsible for hiring a contractor to remove the substance from the river.

Fairport Harbor and Painesville Township fire departments also reported the entry of the nontoxic substance into the river to the Lake County General Health District, Lake Metroparks, the Ohio and U.S. Environmental Protection agencies, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

While the investigation into the spill continues, no adverse impacts on fish or wildlife have been identified at this time, Painesville Township and Fairport Harbor fire departments stated in their news release.

Both fire departments returned to the affected section of the Grand River on Aug. 14 to assist Ohio EPA and the Lake County General Health District with monitoring and further investigation during daylight hours.

At around noon Aug. 14, a trio of Fairport Harbor firefighters went out in a boat to make some adjustments to the containment boom that straddles the Grand River near the North Saint Clair Street bridge. Firefighters used a rope and a post on the bridge to create an attachment that's intended to secure the boom in the event of a heavy storm.

Lake Metroparks Grand River Landing will remain open, but fire departments and other agencies involved in the investigation request that boats and kayaks do not venture past the containment boom located at the North Saint Clair Street bridge.