ROCKY TOP, Tenn. (AP) - Officials say a stockpile of thousands of barrels containing chemicals has been leaking into a Tennessee creek.
News outlets report Larry Watters, the owner of the Rocky Top property where the barrels are stored, was cited by the state Department of Environment and Conservation.
The violation notice says federal and local officials discovered the apparent dump site while investigating a complaint about an unknown pollutant being discharged into a Coal Creek tributary.
Watters was cited for improperly storing a blue liquid, operating a recycling center without a permit and other water quality violations.
Watters told WBIR-TV on Wednesday the liquid was car wash soap. Watters says he collects the barrels for recycling to raise money for a Jacksboro ministry he runs, but is working to clean up and become compliant.
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Information from: WBIR-TV, http://www.wbir.com/
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