Approximately 2 miles north of the town of River City a farmer noticed the tell-tale signs of a leaking pipeline.  The pipeline transported liquids containing hazardous chemicals to industries in the River City area.  The farmer contacted local officials and they alerted the state environmental protection agency that a hazardous materials spill had occurred. 

An emergency response team was sent out to investigate and remove as much of the spilled hazardous liquids as possible. The spill site is located approximately 1,000 feet away from the Buffalo River and a few miles upriver from the surface-water intake for the River City public water supply. This supply serves a population of more than 80,000.