WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Officials from the city of Warren, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are investigating a spill in Bear Creek.
The creek meets Red Run Creek near the area of Chicago Road and Van Dyke in Warren, and continues southwest through the city to around 9 Mile and Ryan roads.
According to officials, they were notified about discoloration in the creek around 11 a.m. on Wednesday where the drain opens up around 12 Mile Road.
Residents like Suzanne Canales have lived near the creek for years. She called the city after noticing a mysterious turquoise blue color in the creek.
"There wasn’t a smell. It was just the color. It was almost like an Easter turquoise color," she said. "And I called the city water pollution line.”
Officials say they are confident they have stopped the source of the spill and are currently working on remediation efforts.
Once the city was notified, officials went to the location and found non-rain water, traced it through the storm system and narrowed it down to a small industrial area.
Officials say they think they have identified the source of the spill to an unoccupied industrial facility.
The EPA arrived on the scene Thursday morning and are working to contain the spill in the creek and the storm sewer system.
“I think they should be there and looking into things and keeping up and holding people accountable," Jarod Arnold said.
Arnold lives near the creek and also noticed its strange color.
“I was wondering if it was being treated or if there had been a spill," he said.
Officials said they have mobilized two contractors and have collected samples from the storm sewer system and from the creek. They are awaiting results.
They are also cleaning the storm sewer system and expect results in the next 24 hours.
According to EGLE, Bear Creek is a tributary of the Clinton River that discharges into Lake St. Clair, and out of an abundance of caution, they did notify drinking water treatment plants in the area, however, no action has been needed.
Mayor Lori Stone reminded the public that drinking water is unaffected and remains safe.
