On April 10, 2013, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded to a farm in Summitville, Indiana (near Elwood) at the request of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Local and state officials had responded to the farm on April 9th because of reports of dead animals. Approximately 75-100 dead animals were located in four barns on the property.
Hazardous material (Hazmat) crews were assisting the Madison County Sheriff's Office with an investigation and the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH) with removal of dead animals. Upon testing the decontamination water, the hazmat crew reported that the water had a pH between 11 and 12 standard units (SU). Hazmat crews then tested drinking water from a well on-site and reported a pH of 12.
EPA responded to assist IDEM in testing drinking water to determine if it was safe for human and animal consumption.
