SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — Health officials are warning people and their pets to avoid waterways in certain areas of Salt Lake County after a semi truck accident Thursday spilled hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel in Parleys Canyon.
Environmental crews are working to clean up the spill after the truck lost control on Interstate 80. The Utah Highway Patrol reports the truck was heading westbound on the highway just before 4 a.m. when it jackknifed after hitting a section of wet road and struck a barrier.
The crash ruptured the truck's fuel tanks, causing a spill of about 150 gallons of diesel fuel. Hazmat teams were called out to clean up the spill, pumping out the remaining fuel in the truck.
Officials said the accident occurred below the Parleys Water Treatment Plant and drinking water quality has not been impacted.
"We've been made aware of it from individuals at, at Tanner's Park where they first smelled it and saw the sheen on the water," said Capt. Brandt Hancuff, Salt Lake City Fire Department. "We had crews come downstream the Sugar House Park where we began seeing an enter into Sugar House Park."
Capt. Hancuff says they put absorbent booms in the water at both locations in hopes of mitigating the issue and keeping it from going downstream.
"I want to stress that this does not impact any of the water quality, as far as drinking water is concerned within Salt Lake City," said Capt. Hancuff.
Officials with the Salt Lake County Health Department told FOX 13 News on Thursday the concern now is how the water could impact both animals and children.
"If they were to drink that they could be sick, they could start vomiting, we don't want to get it on their paws and you know, animals like their paws. We don't want kids getting it on their hands and eating their lunch, could potentially get someone sick," said Dan Moore, Salt Lake County Health Department Enforcement Coordinator.
An advisory was issued to avoid waterways at Sugar House Park, Hidden Hollow Park and Tanner Dog Park.
"We are concerned about the ducks as well and as you know, this time of year, there's a lot of duck eggs hatching and at Sugar House Park, that is a big event with all the hatchlings about to come out, so parks department is very, very concerned about that and we're on top of it," said Moore.
The Salt Lake County Health Department and Utah Division of Water Quality have sampled the waters in the potentially affected areas.
"We expect samples back anywhere between three and 10 days and then we'll have to coordinate those samples between the different agencies," said Moore.
Mike Foster spends quite a bit of time at Sugar House Park with his dog, Joel.
"We walk here probably every day, yeah, once or twice a day," said Foster.
Foster found out about the advisory at the park when FOX 13 News spoke with him on Thursday.
"Being aware of that is huge, obviously," said Foster.
He says he is going to make sure Joel stays safe during their daily walks at the park.
"I'll follow it now that I know about it and won't let him off into the water for drinking or, you know, cooling off or anything until I hear an alert that it's good to do that," said Foster.
Officials with the Salt Lake County Health Department say they will leave the absorbent booms in place until there is no more fuel for them to collect.
Later Thursday, the Salt Lake County Health Department said a fuel sheen was seen on the water at Sugar House Park and Tanner Park, along with "noticeable" fuel odors at Hidden Hollow Park. An advisory was issued for humans and pets to avoid waterways in the following areas:
- Sugar House Park
- Hidden Hollow Park
- Parley's Historic Nature Parks (Tanner Dog Park)
The health department and the Utah Division of Water Quality has sampled the water in the affected areas, but results are not yet available.
While two lanes on I-80 were initially closed following the accident, all lanes are now open. Crews are expected to remain on scene for the remainder of the day to continue the clean up.
No one was injured in the accident and no other vehicles were involved.
