Hydraulic Oil Spill Contaminates Whitehouse, Ohio, as Cleanup Efforts Continue

Whitehouse, Ohio – Cleanup operations are ongoing in the Village of Whitehouse following a hydraulic oil spill last week that has affected both local neighborhoods and nearby waterways. The spill occurred during the demolition of a former metal packaging facility, located behind 10444 Waterville Street near an old electrical substation.

The hydraulic oil, which saturated the ground in the area, was found to have entered Blue Creek via an irrigation tile. The contamination has raised concerns among local residents, some of whom have reported seeing oil sludge in their backyards and smelling the spill in certain areas.

“It’s a shame because we always have ducks and stuff here,” said one local neighbor. “We haven’t seen the ducks. We haven’t seen the ducks.” The neighbor added that while they were not overly concerned about the spill, they were relieved they hadn’t experienced the strong diesel odor that was reported in other areas.

On March 6, the Whitehouse Fire Department responded to the incident, setting up oil collection booms in Swan Creek to prevent the oil from spreading further. Officials said that several booms were placed at critical points, including near Monclova Road, in an effort to contain the flow of oil.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was called in the following day, on March 7, to assist with the containment and cleanup efforts. EPA teams have been working diligently along both Blue Creek and Swan Creek to prevent the oil from reaching further downstream. However, EPA officials have noted that a persistent rainbow sheen continues to appear on the water, which remains difficult to collect due to the fast-moving current.

Despite the visible contamination, authorities have assured residents that the local drinking water remains safe. However, they have cautioned that full remediation could take several more weeks. Continuous monitoring of the affected areas is underway to ensure proper environmental recovery.

The cleanup efforts have led to the closure of portions of the Wabash Cannonball Trail, which runs behind the local fire department. Residents are advised to avoid these areas as work continues.

For real-time updates on the ongoing situation, the U.S. EPA has created a dedicated website for local citizens to stay informed about the status of the cleanup and any further developments.

While the immediate environmental risks to drinking water have been mitigated, officials continue to monitor the situation closely to address any potential long-term effects on the community’s ecosystem.