Leak at water treatment plant forces area evacuation

Thu, Sep 25, 2008    to del.icio.us

Police have evacuated a five-block area on the east side of Grand Haven after a leak was reported in a sulfur dioxide tank at the City of Grand Haven's wastewater treatment plant, 1525 Washington Ave.

The leak was reported about 4:30 p.m. from a 2-ton tank, and emergency personnel immediately called for the Ottawa County Haz Mat team.

"They're suiting up and going in right now," said Grand Haven Department of Public Safety Capt. Rick Yonker about 6 p.m.

Traffic was being diverted around the area and the evacuated families were being directed to the nearby Sluka baseball field, where waiting Harbor Transit buses would then take them to the First Christian Reformed Church at the corner of Waverly and Ferry Streets.

Yonker told media gathered at Sluka Field that the main concern was the possibility of an explosion, which could happen if the exposed gases got hot enough from the sunlight.

He did not know the size of the leak, or know a time frame when the leak would be cleaned up and people could return to their homes.

He estimated that there were less than 100 homes in the evacuation area.

The Tribune will update this story as more information becomes available.

Tribune reporter Brian Keilen contributed to this report.