DAVISON (DTV) – (07/03/23) – Hundreds of gallons of petroleum spilled into the Flint River last Thursday, June 29th.
DTV spoke with Jill Greenberg, the Public Information Officer for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) on June 30th surrounding the Emergency.
On Thursday night, June 29th, the EGLE received an emergency call stating that there had been a spill into the Flint River near the Utah Avenue Dam. The City of Flint urgently set booms within the water to clean up the spill. As of Friday afternoon, an estimated 200 to 300 gallons of a petroleum based substance had been found near the outfall close to Whaley Park. The booms are located at Whaley Park, at the dam, and Hamilton Bridge. The booms have been successful in cleaning the river. The spill is not ongoing.
The City of Flint took samples of the water and is investigating the cause of the spill.
The City of Flint, the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department, and the EGLE are working together during the investigation.
The City of Flint advises citizens to stay clear of the water. This incident comes after an oil spill that went into the Flint River last year.
This does not impact the city’s drinking water in any way, as the municipal drinking water is no longer connected to the Flint River.