RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WLIO) — The Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District is reminding residents that dumping motor oil into waterways is illegal after evidence of used oil was discovered in a stream in Richland Township.
According to officials, the Allen County Emergency Management Agency responded last weekend after receiving a report from a concerned citizen. Investigators found evidence that motor oil had entered a stream outside Bluffton.
The Allen County Emergency Management Agency and the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District are continuing to investigate the incident. Officials said there was no visible fish kill associated with the oil discharge.
The agencies are using the incident to remind residents that used motor oil should never be dumped into streams, ditches or other waterways because it can harm water quality and wildlife. Instead, officials encourage residents to recycle used motor oil through approved collection sites.
"You can recycle used motor oil. You can call local auto parts stores to see if they will take it and they will recycle it for you. And a lot of times they will for free. So there are a lot of solutions to these," said Lydia Archambo, storm water coordinator for the Allen County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Officials also encourage residents to report suspicious activity or potential pollution incidents around local waterways, emphasizing the importance of the saying, "If you see something, say something."
