Lilly Center Responds To Chemical Spill At Winona Lake Stormwater Outfall Site
WINONA LAKE — The Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams responded to a chemical spill this morning at a stormwater outfall site at Winona Lake.
Winona Lake resident Michael Pahl alerted the Center of a foamy substance entering the lake from the outfall. According to Pahl, the spill stretched from Winona Avenue to Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.
According to Nate Bosch, director for the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, the Center contacted Ryan Workman with the City of Warsaw Stormwater Utility since the outfall is part of the City of Warsaw stormwater system.
“The water entering the lake had a detergent and metallic smell,” said Bosch. “We measured several parameters immediately, including water temperature, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen and pH. All of these measurements were within normal ranges commonly seen in local lakes and streams.”
Bosch said the city’s stormwater utility took samples of metals, surfactants, organics, phosphorus, biological oxygen demand and ammonia for more detailed analysis. Results of the analysis over the next few weeks will determine the next steps the Center and Stormwater Utility will take.
“The Lilly Center and Stormwater Utility will keep the Winona Lake Preservation Association and the town of Winona Lake updated and engaged in steps to minimize this risk in the future,” said Bosch.