GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (WZZM) - The superintendent of the Grand Haven Waste Water Treatment plant says it was just a small leak of Sulfur Dioxide, but still potentially dangerous. "It was a very, very small leak but a leak is a leak and we need to address that," says waste water plant superintendent John Stuparits.
The leak discovered in a spare 1 ton tank of Sulfur Dioxide led to the evacuation of 5 surrounding blocks Thursday evening. Class was interrupted for students at Spotlite Dance Academy. "They said to evacuate and we had about 120 students in our building," says academy owner Tracey O'Neal McQueen. "My teachers got everyone together and walked down the road."
Residents in the danger zone were told they were taking a risk if they remained. "A police officer was going door to door telling people to evacuate and they recommended taking pets, too," says resident Susan Vanderzwaag. "He said if you breathe it in, if the wind changes, it could kill you and you probably shouldn't be here," says her husband, Allen Vanderzwaag.
Sulfur Dioxide is one of the chemicals used in the waste water purification process. "It's toxic and certainly an irritant to the lungs and chest," says plant superintendent Stupartis. "In high enough concentrations it could be fatal." It took more than 3 hours for police to say the danger was over and everyone could go back home.
It was early enough for the Vanderzwaag's to get their grandchildren into bed on time. "Oh, yea, the grandkids are ready to get cleaned up for bed," says Allen Vanderzwaag. But even though the event ended with on injuries and just minor inconvenience, Susan Vanderzwaag says she now sees the water plant in a different light. "You don't think about all the chemicals and stuff that might be over there," she says.
Police say the guidelines call for an evacuation about the distance of a football field around a leaking 1 ton Sulfur Dioxide tank. As a precaution they went well beyond the recommended perimeter.
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