A semitruck crash on Interstate 80 spilled diesel fuel into Parleys Creek early Thursday, prompting Salt Lake County health officials to order that people and pets stay out of its waters until test results are complete.
The truck lost control at about 4 a.m. and jackknifed into a concrete barrier on I-80 near milepost 133, just south of Mountain Dell Reservoir, Utah Highway Patrol spokesperson Cameron Roden said.
It was hauling food, but Roden said the crash ruptured the vehicle’s fuel tanks and spilled about 150 gallons of diesel fuel near Parleys Creek, which is a protected watershed.
The site of the wreck was also downstream of Parleys Water Treatment Plant, which is why Salt Lake City’s drinking water supply was not impacted, Salt Lake City Public Utilities spokesperson Jessie Killinger said.
The agency is working with the Salt Lake County Health Department and Salt Lake City fire to mitigate environmental impacts to the creek and the Jordan River.
Water testing could take a week
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Cleanup efforts are underway at Sugar House pond following a fuel spill near Parley’s Creek from a semitruck crash in Parleys Canyon on Thursday, April 25, 2024.
It could take about a week until water sampling results are available from Parleys Creek, county health department officials said.
Until then, pets and people should stay out of the creek’s waters, which flow through Sugar House Park, Hidden Hollow Park and Tanner Park. Tanner Park features an expansive off-leash dog park.
Firefighters deployed water “booms” at all three parks Thursday to help absorb fuel from the creek.
Though about 150 gallons of diesel fuel spilled, it is unclear how much ended up in the creek. Much of the fuel remained on the roadway, county health officials said, and some was absorbed by “booms” that first responders placed on the interstate.
Still, fuel sheen could be seen on water at Tanner Park and Sugar House Park on Thursday afternoon, county health officials advised. Fuel odors were also noticeable at Hidden Hollow Park and near 900 East.
County health officials said forecast rain should help clear out any remaining diesel.
As of late Thursday morning, the I-80 crash site had been cleared and all lanes had since reopened.
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