HazMat investigating after 'substance' found in Canfield creek
Mahoning County first responders are trying to find the source of a substance that has leaked into a Canfield Creek.
Mahoning County first responders are still trying to find the source of a substance that has leaked into a Canfield creek.
HazMat crews were called out to a scene behind Canfield High School and the Mill Creek MetroParks Bike Trail.
Canfield Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Matt Rarick tells 21 News that neighbors near South Briarcliffe Drive called in around 3 p.m. after a substance was found in a creek.
Officials tested the substance and identified it as some type of acid, which was diluted by the creek water.
HazMat officials thought at first the source may have been the school or near the school, but now they believe it is farther away.
They've been trying to map the underground pipe network, but it's proving quite complicated.
"A lot of times the GIS map will show us different pipes but for some reason, this pipe is not on any of the maps," says Chief Rarick. "We can't figure out where exactly that's coming from."
As of now, officials say they have no reason to believe there will be an environmental impact or any safety concerns.
The Ohio EPA also responded to the scene to evaluate the situation; crews will be back on scene Tuesday morning.
They checked a couple nearby businesses to try to find the source, but could not.
Meanwhile, several syphon dams have been set up to filter the water, which is being pumped into a vacuum truck, then into the city's sanitary sewer system.