May 23, 2013
OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- State environmental officials are investigating the recent release of industrial sludge into two Opelika waterways.
Alabama Department of Environmental Management spokesman Scott Hughes says the agency received a call Friday from the city of Opelika regarding some material that had been found in the Pepperell Branch and Saugahatchee Creek.
Hughes says that the release likely started sometime Thursday afternoon.
He said the agency has been at the scene since Friday, conducting an investigation of how the release occurred and identifying any environmental impact in the downstream waterways.
He said the release had been stopped and water samples have been collected for testing.
