SOUTH BEND — An orange puff of smoke coming from a white tank of South Bend’s Wastewater Treatment Plant on the east side of Riverside Drive has resulted in Riverside being closed for the day from Cleveland Road to Boland Drive.

A HazMat team, ambulance and two fire engines were called to the scene near Building 14 and Gate 7 about 10 a.m. Saturday after workers noticed an orange puff of smoke coming from the white tank, which is one of the final clarifiers in the treatment process.

But by 11 a.m., all were dismissed, with the road remaining closed.

The chemical involved in the leak is ferrous chloride, said Jack Dillon, director of environmental services for the city. The chemical is used in the wastewater treatment process.

“We called the vendor and he said to just let it puff away,” Dillon said. “It is not hazardous to anyone unless they get up there in it.”

The vendor said that as long as people stay a 150-foot radius away from it, “they should be fine,” Dillon said, adding he believed the fence on the property was about that distance.

“We have people here 24 hours a day” who will monitor it, he said. “We will open the street as soon as we can.”

Dillon said he did not know what caused the orange puff of smoke, which was still emanating from the tank an hour later and was barely visible.

Dillon indicated the chemical has been in the tank a year without any problems.

“The vendor said to let it sit,” he said. “It should not cause any problem for the treatment and is of no danger to the public as far as I can tell.”

Staff writer Jim Meenan:
jmeenan@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6342