WINONA LAKE – While the surfactants, perfumes and blue dyes released into the lake from the Warsaw Chemical fire Friday created surface foam, fragrant smells and blue coloration in the water and ice, the chemicals are not a current environmental concern, according to a release from the Center for Lakes & Streams. Center Director Nate Bosch expressed cautious optimism on the health of the lake. No wildlife deaths have been attributed to the spill, oxygen levels are normal and there is no remaining discoloration or reduction of ice cover, according to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. But the advisory to limit activity on the lake from the state Department of Natural Resources remains in effect as of this morning. Bosch noted a definitive analysis has not yet been done with an eye on the chemicals known to be used at the business. He expects lab results in the coming weeks and said the center will continue to test the water, comparing results to samples of spill water that entered Winona Lake. He said his top environmental concern is methanol, an unknown amount of which washed into the water during firefighting efforts. Remaining levels won’t be known until he sees lab results, but he said oxygen levels appear promising. “Methanol is our current focus in assessing potential damages to Winona Lake,” he said. “Methanol lowers oxygen levels in water, and the fish need oxygen in the water to breathe.” Fish deaths are often found in spring for similar reasons, as fish suffocate due to longterm ice cover that shuts the lake off from sunlight and keeps aquatic plants like algae from providing oxygen. Beginning Friday, Winona Lake was aerated in efforts to both reduce the presence of methanol through evaporation and to provide additional oxygen to fish in the lake. Aeration was stopped on Monday when oxygen was confirmed at normal levels. Measurements of the storm sewer network and Winona Lake taken by the center Tuesday morning showed normal oxygen levels holding steady, lessening some concerns about methanol, the press release states. “But I can foresee ice coming off the lake this spring still containing some traces of methanol,” Bosch said this morning. While a few dead waterfowl along the lake have been reported, this is a regular occurrence and not reason for immediate concern as no effects to other wildlife have yet been observed, according to the release. The DNR is still prohibiting ice fishing on Winona Lake until further notice, it states. Still to be done from an environmental cleanup standpoint, according to IDEM, is securing and removing solid waste as needed, including about 36,000 gallons of liquid waste collected in frac tanks, as well as some affected snow that has been stockpiled in containment and the booms, dike sand and products and materials that were damaged in the fire. IDEM doesn’t anticipate the incident will impact the summertime swimming season, the agency said. Looking forward, Bosch stated, “Our center will continue to monitor oxygen levels in Winona Lake for the foreseeable future, and we will also analyze water samples collected during and after the spill to determine potential contaminate levels and any further causes for concern. We also look forward to working with the City of Warsaw and the Winona Lake Preservation Association to prevent anything like this from happening again.” The fire at Warsaw Chemical was first reported around 11 a.m. Friday. Homes and businesses within 1,000 feet of the building on Durbin Street were evacuated shortly after the fire was reported. Approximately 200,000 gallons of water were reportedly used by fire crews to contain the blaze, which carried chemicals into nearby Winona Lake primarily through the storm sewer network. Chemicals carried into the lake included undetermined amounts of methanol, various surfactants and perfumes, and less than one gallon of blue dye. Grace College’s Center for Lakes & Streams responded to the spill to assess the incident and assist in formulating a strategy on protecting Winona Lake. The Warsaw Chemical building has since been secured and all residual materials are contained, the release states. Materials will be reused or recycled if possible, and otherwise properly disposed of. Environmental Remediation Services captured 22,000 gallons of contaminated water from firefighting activities for disposal. The Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College conducts research, engages and educates residents and collaborates with other organizations in efforts to make the lakes and streams of Kosciusko County cleaner. For more information, visit lakes.grace.edu
