Possible contaminated water prompts testing after Clark County house fire; Home demolished

CLARK COUNTY — The Clark County Health District (CCHD) is investigating possible ground water contamination after a house fire in Yellow Springs.

The fire was reported in the 2500 block of West Jackson Road, which is in Clark County, on March 1.

The CCHD said that while the fire department worked to put out the fire, a water well in the basement became flooded. The day after the fire, a next-door neighbor complained about a smell of smoke and a change in how the water looked, according to a CCHD situation report.

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After advising the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the report, the Health District went to the home and looked at the well. There was an underground fuel oil tank in the home, but oil did not appear in the water. Still, the neighbor was told not to drink the water until it was deemed safe.

On March 3, the CCHD spoke with the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) for guidance about the smokey smell. ODH told them to treat and disinfect the flooded well. After that, ODH advised them to test the water.

Four days later, another neighbor complained about the same smokey smell and changed appearance of the water.

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Homes within 500 feet of the well have been advised to not use their well water to drink or bathe until it is determined to be safe. Bottled water has been made available to residents within the impacted area at the Hustead Fire Department on Springfield-Xenia Road, between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The home where the fire happened was demolished today and the well is scheduled to be sealed Friday. After that, CCHD will ask neighbors to pump their wells until the smell is gone and disinfect them before the county tests their water.

Anyone who notices a change in odor or appearance in their water is asked to call the Health District at (937) 717-2452.

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