Hydraulic fluid leak into Hiwassee River, officials say

February 6, 2018

WDEFAdmin,

CHARLESTON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Bradley County officials say about 10 gallons hydraulic fluid has leaked into the Hiwassee River.

Lindsay Hathcock with the county says a piece of equipment that unloads products for industrial use on the river has a small leak.

According to information released by the county, local authorities are monitoring the situation and the device is being repaired now.

The spill came from an industrial machine fixed to the ground used to unload salt from river barges. Most of the fluid was contained immediately by workers at Smoky Mountain Transfer.

“We put [county emergency] crews in the water to go into the river to see how far the leak had made it down the river,” Bradley County Fire Chief Shawn Fairbanks said. “Luckily it was contained to the source right around where it had happened at the barge.”

Hathcock says no risk is associated with this activity.

Officials say the hydraulic fluid is specially made for use in environments such as waterways.

According to Fairbanks, the county has suspended all operations at the company until the TDEC conducts a site survey Wednesday and gives an all clear.

“The whole thing behind TDEC coming in doing an evaluation is because the salt is very corrosive on that equipment,” Fairbanks said.

Fairbanks believes the corrosion caused the leak.

“I think they’re going to be looking at new types of machinery that they can do or a different type platform where they’re not actually having any exposure whatsoever to the water,” Hathcock said.