MINERVA, Ohio — Minerva Cheese factory accidentally released whey, a milky substance, into Sandy Creek between Minerva and Malvern, which temporarily depleted oxygen levels and killed more than 5,400 fish, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Affected
The accident occurred June 14 and affected a 1.5 mile stretch downstream from the Minerva Wastewater Treatment Plant.
“Minerva Cheese factory has been very cooperative with the investigation,” said Doug Miller, Division of Wildlife law enforcement supervisor for northeast Ohio. “This is an unfortunate circumstance, but truly unintentional.”
The factory agreed to pay $6,067 in restitution.
