Garbage Truck Springs Hydraulic Leak in Charles City, Shuts Down Streets for about 90 Minutes

A Jendro Sanitation truck suffered a hydraulic leak that shut down two blocks of Charles City streets for about 90 minutes late Tuesday (05.05) afternoon.

Charles City Fire Chief Sam Deverell says the initial report of a fluid spill on South Main Street came in shortly after 3:30 pm. The spill impacted the road between 8th and 9th Streets and continued onto 9th, stopping before Clinton Street.

Deverell says approximately 50-to-60 gallons of hydraulic fluid were leaked from the truck and it required deployment of four, 20-pound bags and 30, 35-pound bags of Oil-Dri to help absorb the spill. At about 5 pm, the City Street Department used a street sweeper to finish the cleanup process, with the streets reopened to traffic by about 5:15 pm.

Deverell says the leaked fluid was contained to the road surface and did not make it to any storm water drains. 

He thanks Charles City Police for their help in shutting down the roads to keep traffic from spreading the leaked fluid and  for their assistance applying the oil absorbent. And, thanks also to the Street Department for their assistance and cleaning efforts.

***KCHA’s Mark Pitz was on location during the initial phase of cleanup