Equipment Failure at Hog Farm Sparks Spill, Turning Ohio Creek Red

Residents in Carey, Ohio, are still reeling after a manure leak two weeks ago turned Poverty Run Creek red and raised serious concerns about drinking water safety. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency confirmed that liquid hog manure from Wyandot Pork leaked into the creek, causing it to discolor and spread contamination.

Despite state EPA statements that there were no known impacts to wildlife, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has said a fish kill investigation is underway.

Dozens of neighbors filled Crawford Township’s meeting hall earlier this week, demanding clarity from state and county officials. However, no representatives from the state EPA or DNR attended.

“The response has always been ‘it’s an ongoing investigation — we’re not going to make a comment,’ ” said Crawford Township trustee Aaron Pahl. “I wish someone from the EPA would come down here and tell these people that.”

So far, the Wyandot County Health Department has tested 34 wells in the area for E. coli. Only one tested positive, but residents insist the smell remains and fear long-term safety risks.

Sandy Bin, the Lake Erie Waterkeeper, has spent two decades fighting for water quality. 

“It’s like like red red blood running through there. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” she told WTOL 11. 

Her concern goes beyond Poverty Run. “Pink in a stream is wrong. I mean, and to see that much of it going into the stream. I, you know, bad for that stream, bad for the environment, bad for the water, bad for the lake.”

She warned this was part of a larger problem: “The reality is we have to address manure because it is the one growing source in the watershed of phosphorus that causes the algae in the lake.”



The Ohio EPA later determined that a farming equipment malfunction at Wyandot Pork caused the spill. A part broke in the irrigation system, according to the publication Pork, and an alarm system that should have signaled a problem did not work properly.

“As soon as it was discovered, the farmers shut the manure source off and took steps to pump the manure-contaminated water back out of the creek,” said Glen Arnold, an Ohio State University Extension field specialist. He noted that because of dry conditions, “the manure-contaminated water wouldn’t travel very far.”

Reports described the creek turning a light red to pink color. While shocking, Arnold explained, “That would be pretty standard for a manure lagoon. Because of the bacteria that are working together to make that lagoon work as it should, the liquids generally have a red tint.”

The Ohio EPA confirmed this, stating the color was caused by purple sulfur bacteria common in anaerobic lagoons, which actually indicates the lagoon was functioning properly.

Cleanup is underway by a contractor hired by the farm, under state EPA oversight. Officials stressed that Poverty Run is not a drinking water source and that they have seen “no known impacts to wildlife.”

Still, experts warn against complacency. Arnold emphasized, “You have to put eyes on the manure application process. You have to put eyes on the field tile. You’ve got to put eyes on surface ditches and be sure they’re not allowing the manure to escape from a field.”

Cheryl Day, executive vice president of the Ohio Pork Council, added, “Every decision we make on manure handling and application matters. One mistake can set back the progress our industry has made and risk both water quality and community trust. Stewardship isn’t optional — it’s our responsibility, and it must remain our highest priority.”

Despite official assurances, Carey residents remain skeptical. Pictures shared with WTOL showed dead fish along the run, contradicting EPA statements. “They don’t look too cleaned up to me,” one resident remarked.

As Bin warned, “If we have another manure spill and it gets handled like this, heaven only knows.”

The Ohio EPA agency’s full statement is below:

“Ohio EPA’s Office of Emergency Response investigated reports of discoloration in Poverty Run on August 10. The cause was identified as an overapplication of liquid manure leachate, which ran into the creek. Wyandot Pork, the responsible party, is working with Ohio EPA, the local soil and water district, and ODNR’s Division of Wildlife to address the issue.”

The Wyandot County Public Health Department also issued a statement:

“Wyandot County Public Health is aware of a strange “purple” color in a creek east of Carey known as Poverty Run in the area of County Highway 16 and Township Highway 105.

As of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, the Ohio EPA determined the cause was an overuse of hog manure as fertilizer on nearby fields. The excess waste washed into the creek. Three pumps are now running to add air to the water to help clean it, with two pumps along Township Road 18 and one along Township Road 16.

Exposure to hog feces in high concentrations through air or water may cause illness and symptoms such as headaches and nausea. The public should stay away from the area as cleanup efforts continue.

The Wyandot County EMA, Wyandot County Public Health, and state partners are working closely together to address this situation.”