After a truck accident, 180 gallons of diesel fuel spill into Parley's Creek

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – A truck accident along I-80 in Parley's Canyon resulted in an estimated 180 gallons of diesel spilling into Parley's Canyon as well as Tanner's Park and Sugar House Park.

Salt Lake City Fire Department Capt. Brandt Hancuff said the truck drove up Parley's Canyon around 4 a.m. this morning. The accident damaged the truck, causing hundreds of gallons of fuel to flow into a nearby storm drain.

Firefighters were alerted to the leak when someone at Tanner's Park smelled the fuel and saw it glistening in the water. Emergency crews later determined that the fuel had made it to Sugar House Park.

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Hazmat officials placed absorbent boons in the water to help absorb the fuel and purify the water.

“We are confident that we can remedy the situation [the dangers at Sugar House Park] and prevent the fuel from traveling further downstream,” Hancuff said.

Hancuff emphasized that there is no threat to drinking water in Salt Lake County. The spill occurred below the Parley's Canyon water treatment plant – which is currently not in operation anyway – so there is no risk to drinking water. Hancuff warned people to stay away from the water for the foreseeable future and also to keep away from pets. Water testing results may not be available for another week, according to a news release from the Salt Lake County Health Department.

Hancuff explained that diesel fuel could be harmful if ingested and could also irritate the skin or fur of people and pets that come into contact with it.

Hazardous materials teams said the cleanup could take the next few hours. Hancuff said the fire department is working with various agencies throughout the valley to limit damage to the water, surrounding wildlife and Salt Lake County residents.

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