Company launches investigation in creek chemical spill

SMYRNA, Ga. — The cleanup of a chemical spill along a creek in Smyrna turned the water into a chalky white substance. The company responsible released its plans to fix the problem and is urging neighbors to stay away from the water.

A spokesman from the company that owns Apollo Technologies says 2,300 gallons of automotive cleaning solvent spilled into the creek when a gasket on a mixing tank broke Saturday morning.

Apollo Technologies is focusing on cleaning up the spill and determining what caused the gasket to break.

Neighbors say the smell around the creek has gotten better, and the Environmental Protection Agency says its air quality tests show the air is safe.

Mike Bourgeois, who lives next to the contaminated creek, says no one is happy about the spill.

Bourgeois is one of many who live on Heather Road wondering how the leak will affect their children.

"It's an unpleasant smell, after a while it gets irritating to our eyes," Bourgeois said.

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A neighbor Stephanie Burnside says she wants to raise kids at her home one day and now worries whether the creek will ever be the same.

"You can't tell me it's not going to have a lasting impact for many years to come," Burnside said.

Apollo Technologies has had spills in the past, but never one that leaked off property.

EPA records show that the company was repeatedly cited between 2008 and 2012.

Cox Media Group