The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has identified Pavement Solutions as the responsible party for the recent contamination of Coldwater Creek, and issued an Abatement Order for the immediate removal of the milky-white contamination from Coldwater Creek.
Currently, Pavement Solutions is using vacuum trucks to remove the contaminated water from the creek. The contaminant is a concrete additive product called Modifier A/NA, which has a low toxicity level for human and aquatic life according to the Material Safety Data Sheet for the product. The department has coordinated with federal and local officials, including the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the St. Louis County Health Department, Metropolitan Sewer District and the Florissant City Public Works, to ensure the proper disposal of the contaminants. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources will continue to ensure appropriate actions are taken to protect human health and the environment in response to the release described in the issued Abatement Order.
The contamination resulted from an accident involving a truck that was transporting the product on McDonnell Boulevard on Friday, Sept. 30. Pavement Solutions contacted the department’s Environmental Emergency Response Spill Line following the Sept. 30th release but indicated the spill had been properly cleaned and disposed.
On Sunday, Oct. 2, the department’s Environmental Emergency Spill Line received complaints of a milky-white substance in Coldwater Creek at approximately 10:40 a.m. The department sent staff to the location to observe the creek and take samples for analysis. The department also began to examine industries and other projects in the area to identify a potential source.
During the investigation, staff received information from several members of the public, including Pavement Solutions, indicating that the contamination was a result of the spill that happened on Sept. 30. This contamination is not related to Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program remediation efforts.
Laboratory analysis is currently underway.
More information will be available after the investigation is completed.
Abatement Order - Pavement Solutions