DNR: Ground water safe after fire

Ran on Thursday, June 26, 2007

DNR: Ground water safe after fire

By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff

A massive chemical recycling plant fire just south of Eau Claire last week left 11 toxic chemicals in WRR Environmental Services' runoff.
"We found a significant amount of volatile organic compounds that went into the wetlands," said Dave Weitz, public affairs manager for the west-central region of the Department of Natural Resources.
The compounds found in the water are in a nearby wetland containing other contaminants.
Despite this, Weitz said residents shouldn't be concerned about the safety of their ground water.
"It shouldn't have any impact on humans," Weitz said. "There's no risk to any private wells, and there is no risk to people at all."
Ash that blew into Eau Claire also was not a health concern, Weitz said.
"A lot of ash fell some distance from the site," he said. "But some wooden structures burned that you would find in a normal ... house fire."
The fire on June 22 started in a boiler room and spread to chemical tanks, causing dozens of explosions. More than 125 fire and emergency workers - 90 percent of which were volunteers - responded to the blaze that closed Highway 93 near the plant, temporarily shut down Interstate 94 and closed the Fairfax Park Municipal Swimming Pool.
WRR is open for business, but company officials declined to discuss operations on Wednesday.
Weitz estimated 700,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire.
Mark Briski, Township Fire Department spokesman, said WRR will be billed for the water used to extinguish the fire. Most of the water came from Eau Claire city wells and from a nearby pond.
Briski said the department does not typically calculate the cost of fighting a fire.
A damage estimate from WRR was unavailable. Company officials plan to hold a press conference later this week.