Culver Fire, EMS and Police were dispatched shortly after noon Wednesday, October 14, to the 200 block of South Main Street after a chemical odor was reported inside a building.
According to the Culver Fire Department, crews determined an unknown petroleum product had been disposed of down a storm sewer drain. The product was found in several storm sewer catch basins, affecting multiple blocks.
Culver fire crews and Town of Culver Utilities workers stopped the flow and recovered the product before it reached Lake Maxinkuckee, the fire department said. The storm sewer was then flushed to help ensure no contamination entered the lake.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management was contacted to assist with the response and investigate the source of the product and who may be responsible. Storm sewer outlets were also assessed to confirm the product had been contained within the storm sewer system.
The Culver Fire Department reminded residents that storm sewer systems are designed to handle rainwater and should not be used to dispose of pollutants.
Town of Culver Utilities, Culver-Union Township EMS, Marshall County EMA, IDEM, NIPSCO and Culver Police Department assisted at the scene.
The incident remains under investigation.