Dead Fish near Riverside Park in Spruce Pine

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality is reporting that there were 40-50 dead fish near the Riverside Park area in Spruce Pine on Monday.

Regional Supervisor Landon Davidson said the leak occurred at Quartz Corp. on Sunday afternoon that caused the fish kill.

There was discharge from a hydrofluoric acid valve on the storage container that overflowed into a secondary containment tray that catches spills or leaks. That mixed with the normal wastewater discharge.

Davidson said the spill “doesn’t appear to be a danger to people, based on what we know about the event’s short duration.” He also said there are no surface or drinking water advisories in place related to the chemical release.

Spruce Pine Town Manager Richard Canipe, said the situation had nothing to do with the city and that the water has been tested, and the water quality is good.