On April 24th, City of Toledo Water Department personnel were repairing a leaking water line along Frenchmens Road in Lucas County, Toledo, OH. In order to access the line a water main vault needed to be dewatered. During the dewatering process workers identified unusually discolored water and contacted City of Toledo Division of Environmental Services who conducted an initial assessment which identified gross staining of grass and topsoil, staining along Frenchmens Road leading to a city storm sewer. The storm sewer system empties into Williams Ditch, then to the Ottawa River which leads directly out to Lake Erie. The industrial park where the water line was being repaired is located in a former Superfund area known to have had creosote lagoons for 'dipping' railroad ties.
