Big Spring contamination in Upton
On August 19, the water in Big Spring remained discolored, cloudy, and had a foul odor. The spring itself does feed into Roundstone Creek in Hart County, as well as other northern Hart County watersheds. Well water users are advised to have their water tested and to consume bottled water until test results are received. Photo by Mary Beth Sallee.
Mary Beth Sallee
Managing Editor
Hart Co. News Herald
An investigation is currently underway at Big Spring in Upton due to an unknown source of contamination.
According to locals in the Upton area of Hardin County where Big Spring is located, the contamination of the spring was discovered on Friday, August 16. It was described as having a severe foul odor, with what locals said looked like toilet paper and sewage covering the rocks in the spring. State emergency services were contacted. It is believed that the spring may have been contaminated for several days before it was discovered.
On Saturday, August 17, a water sample was taken for testing but the results had not been released as of press time.
Caveland Environmental Authority of Cave City was requested at Big Spring.
“We went up to Upton…and all we know is that they were trying to look for the source of where the pollution was coming from,” said David Peterson, CEO of Caveland Environmental Authority. “The reason they had us there is because we have the big pumping trucks, and they thought if they could find it (the source of the contamination) we could pump it out quick. We never did find where it was coming from.”
Peterson went on to state that he would advise for those on well water to be cautious and drink bottled water.
“You can go to the health department and send a sample off just to double check to be on the safe side,” Peterson said. “I would definitely do that.”
Locals in Upton stated that the source of Big Spring is unknown. However, the spring itself does feed into Roundstone Creek in Hart County, as well as other northern Hart County watersheds. Roundstone Creek also feeds into the Nolin River.
On Saturday, August 17, Hart County Emergency Management stated on a Facebook post stated that they had been notified of a possible contamination of Big Spring: “This spring does eventually run into northern Hart County watersheds. The State Environmental Response Team is aware, and the Division of Water is responding.”
Shane Butler, Hart County 911 Director, spoke with the Hart County News-Herald.
“There is no impact to municipal or county water supplies,” Butler said. “Private well users need to contact the Louisville Division of Water.”
Approximately three days after the contamination of Big Spring was reported, the Office of the Hardin County Judge/Executive Keith L. Taul released the following statement on August 19: “Kentucky Emergency Response Team and Kentucky Division of Water are investigating the current water issue to determine source and substance of contamination of Big Spring in the Upton area of Hardin County. Any concerns about well water, please contact Kentucky Division of Water. This investigation is ongoing by the Environmental Reponse Team. There is confidence that no drinking water is affected, and no public health warnings are in effect.”
Also on August 19, the City of Upton Facebook page posted, “If you are on well water please read. We have been advised that if you are in these areas (Upton, northern Hart County) that you do not use your water for consumption.”
The Hart County News-Herald contacted the City of Bonnieville/City Hall to ask if they had been made aware of the Big Spring contamination in Upton as it could affect the northern Hart County watershed and well water users. However, they stated that they had not been notified of the possible contamination.
As of Tuesday morning, August 20, the investigation was still ongoing and being led by the Environmental Response Team and the Louisville Division of Water.
Anyone with concerns is asked to contact Todd Giles at the Louisville Division of Water at 502-429-7122 or the Kentucky Division of Water at 502-564-3410.
The contamination of Big Spring included what locals described as possible clumps of toilet paper, as seen in this photo, and an extreme foul odor. Photo submitted.
The contamination of Big Spring in Upton was discovered on August 16 and is currently being investigated. In this photo from Monday afternoon, you can see a clumped white substance (center) in the spring. Photo by Mary Beth Sallee.
