Chemical Incident in Eureka

A new hazardous materials incident involving chemicals has been reported to the California Office of Emergency Services.

According to a report published by the office, the incident took place at or near a utilities/substation in Eureka at around 9:50 a.m. today.

Less than five gallons of a substance described as “cleaning solution with potential of mercury” were released to the environment, according to the person who called in the report.

Here’s the description of the incident that was recorded by the Office of Emergency Services:

RP states, Their construction crew was working on removing a pipe from a filter when they did not know material was still left within the pipe. This caused the release of less than 5 gallons of a cleaning solution with a potential of mercury. The release has been stopped and contained. No waterways or storm drains were impacted. A contractor will be conducting cleanup of the release.

This was the 1st hazardous materials incident recorded by the Office of Emergency Services in the Eureka area this year and the 1st chemical spill in the county overall.