Louisville creek turns red, smells of chemicals as officials investigate spill
A chemical spill turned a creek red in Riverside Gardens on Sunday afternoon, as nearby residents reported an intense chemical smell in the area.
As of Sunday night, local officials had not confirmed the specific chemicals, quantities or source of the spill. The affected waterway is an unnamed intermittent stream flowing through Riverside Gardens and into the Mill Creek cutoff to the south, which in turn empties to the Ohio River.
Bakelite Synthetics, a chemical plant handling formaldehyde, methanol, phenol and other hazardous chemicals in its operations, sits just north of the neighborhood — only a few hundred feet from homes along Wilmoth Avenue, where some residents spotted the discoloration.
Neighbors noticed the spill by at least 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Mary Pichardo, a longtime resident of the neighborhood, described "a really strong paint thinner" smell before seeing the creek's color.
Officials from the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Department, Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and other agencies responded to reports from neighbors Sunday.
"At this time, no leak or other origin that would result in this discovery has been found," a Bakelite spokesperson said in a statement Monday morning. "We continue to search our property and run tests and are fully supporting the ongoing investigation of this potential leak in the area."
The company received a call around 5 p.m. from "Louisville's emergency management system reporting what looked to be pink or reddish foam in the drainage ditch on Camp Ground Road, the same road our Louisville site is located," according to the statement.
A LENSAlert notification was sent out close to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, warning "residents and pets" within a half mile of the Bakelite plant, at 6200 Campground Road, to "avoid contact with natural streams and bodies of water until further notice."
"There is otherwise no threat to the public, air quality, or drinking water," the alert said. "Officials will continue to monitor."
The notification to the public came several hours after officials were aware of the spill. In the wake of past chemical incidents, local advocates have called on the city to bring more transparency and clarity to its notifications of chemical spills, particularly where residential areas are in proximity.
Fire and emergency management officials did not immediately respond to calls or emails from The Courier Journal seeking further information.
This story may be updated.
Connor Giffin is an environmental reporter for The Courier Journal. Reach him directly at cgiffin@gannett.com or on X @byconnorgiffin.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville creek turns red as officials investigate chemical spill
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