Business may face fines after milky white substance seen in Chester County creek
A milky white substance was discovered in a creek in Chester County over the weekend prompting an investigation and warning to residents to stay out of the water, according to officials with West Goshen Township.
On Saturday, Feb. 28, at 12:45 p.m., the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) responded to a report of a milky substance that killed several fish in Goose Creek in West Chester.
Officials in the borough traced the source of the substance to an outfall pipe located at Atmos Technologies in West Goshen Township. Atmos Technologies reported to the DEP that chlorinated water from the tank was released to a containment area that mixed with a manufactured product known as Long Duration Foam AC-645, forming the foaming agent, officials said.
The DEP and West Chester officials then plugged the outfall pipe that same day.
Officials said there was no more reported dead fish in the creek. The DEP returned to the creek on Sunday and said the water appeared to be clear though some foam accumulated on debris in the area. They noticed similar conditions at the creek on Monday.
The DEP alerted Aqua Pennsylvania and the company continues to monitor the downstream flow of the creek.
Officials say that Atmos Technologies could face fines under regulations set by the DEP and West Goshen Township. The DEP is overseeing the company as the cleanup continues.
They’re also working with officials in West Goshen and West Chester as well as the Chester County Hazardous Materials Response Team and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission on the investigation.
All residents and pets should stay out of Goose Creek as the investigation continues.
