SWISHER – Liquid runway deicer and diesel fuel spilled after a semi-truck owned by Cryotech Deicing Technology rolled over Monday afternoon along Interstate 380 about 14 miles south of Cedar Rapids.
On Tuesday, the DNR was on site to assist with recovery and cleanup of the deicer and diesel fuel that escaped from the semi, flowing into McAllister Creek. About 3,600 gallons of liquid runway deicer and an estimated 50 gallons of diesel fuel flowed downstream about four miles to Coralville Reservoir.
An environmental contractor cut through the ice on the creek Tuesday to place booms to recover diesel fuel. The deicer, potassium acetate, mixes with water. It’s not considered a long-term environmental hazard, but is bright green and will discolor the water.
Cryotech Deicing Technology is based in Fort Madison.
Johnson County HazMat team, the state highway patrol and Iowa Department of Transportation responded to the accident Monday. The driver of the semi was reportedly transported to University of Iowa hospital.
DNR will continue to monitor the recovery and clean up at the site.