Residents are still being advised to avoid skin contact with surface water at Fremont Lake, due to runoff from a recent fire.
“Apparently that structure fire ignited some oil totes on the property and the result was those caught on fire and released about 900 gallons of used motor oil and then that mixed with the firefight water and got into a drain that led into the lake.”
Jeff Johnston is a spokesperson with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which is handling the clean-up.
“We use booms on the water to contain the surface oil and brought in a vacuum truck and excavators to clean up the oil and contaminated soil that resulted from the spill.”
The oil sheen was seen along the shore from the Lakeview Resort south to Chamberlain Avenue.
“Clean-up is still underway and it's going to continue through the week. The spill does not appear to affect any drinking water wells so that's obviously good news. As of today, most of the oil has been removed and we're in the process of doing soil removal.”
Residents should avoid areas that may have petroleum contamination until the water contact advisory has been lifted.
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