Update: April 15 – The clean-up of the spill of a non-toxic concrete coloring agent was completed on April 14.
Crews in Peachtree City are cleaning up the spill of a non-toxic concrete coloring agent near the public works and amphitheater off McIntosh Trail. The orange/red-dyed water did not flow into Flat Creek.
City Clerk Betsy Tyler said the Peachtree City Fire Department on April 12 responded to the Public Works and Amphitheater site off McIntosh Trail in south Peachtree City regarding the spill of a water-based concrete coloring agent into a detention pond near the Flat Creek Nature Area and an adjacent multi-use path.
Tyler said the spill was caused by Utility Asset Management of Reynolds, Georgia, a contractor for the City of Peachtree City for several stormwater pipe projects currently underway. Asset Management was using the Public Works site staging area for the projects, said Tyler.
“Utility Asset Management personnel cut open an old tank of non-toxic concrete coloring and, after removing the solid pieces, hosed out the drum by the detention pond, dying the run-off water a bright red/orange,” said Fire Chief Joe O’Conor. “City crews were able to contain the flow of the dyed water to the immediate buffer area adjacent to the Public Works facility.”
O’Conor said the dyed water did not wash into Flat Creek.
Tyler said the city contacted the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to report the spill on Tuesday night as a precautionary measure, and EPD officials were on site Wednesday morning to evaluate conditions and monitor the cleanup efforts. The contractor will begin cleaning up the dyed water and soil immediately, said Tyler.
“We know that residents can see the spill from the path behind the Amphitheater and are concerned, but we want to assure everyone that the colored water is not expected to be harmful to the ecology of the area,” said O’Conor. ”However, it is very visible, and the city’s contractor will be required to clean up the site, including the dyed earth in the detention pond, under EPD supervision.”
