Madison, IN Sunny intervals 57°
Listen Live

Enquirer: Barge Company Blames "Human Error" For Fertilizer Spill Into Ohio River

The chemical spill happened last December.

Ohio River. File photo.

(Cincinnati, Oh.) – No fine has yet been levied against the company who owned a barge that released more than 400,000 gallons of liquid fertilizer into the Ohio River.

The barge was moored on the river near the Anderson Ferry when it cracked on December 19, 2017.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Memphis-based Southern Towing has released information about the spill, which it says was caused by “human error.” The company says a tankerman at the facility was unloading the fertilizer in a way that the weight of the load became concentrated in the middle of the barge, leading the barge to buckle.

Kentucky’s Department of Environmental Protection issued three environmental violation notices against Southern Towing in January, however, the company has not yet been fined.

Southern Towing's response to Kentucky denies the company violated the state’s water statutes, according to The Enquirer.

The chemical spill forced the Louisville Water Company to take measures to ensure that the chemical plume did not enter the city’s water supply. The city-owned utility sent Southern Towing a bill for more than $41,000 for expenses related to the safety steps.

More from Local News

Events

Local News

Hanover Man Receives Lengthy Sentence For Trafficking Fentanyl

This outcome reflects the importance of thorough and steadfast prosecution

General Motors sold Hoosier drivers on using OnStar then sold their data to raise rates

Attorney General Todd Rokita is driving right through this deceptive collection plan

Local Sports

South Dearborn HS Seeking New Varsity Basketball Head Coach

Patrick Cosgrove is out after three years of leading the program.

IBCA Announces 2024-25 Boys Basketball All-State Teams

Several local players earned recognition.

Two local area Seniors invited to Hoosier Basketball's Top 60 Senior Workout at Marian University

Switzerland County's Cam Craig and South Ripley's Cole Henry have been invited