Hundreds of fish, macro-invertebrates and some plant life were killed. Although not toxic, the waste, due to its heaviness, literally suffocated all aquatic life in its path. York Water Co. contracted several vacuum trucks to clean up the spill. Total cleanup could take several days. The same day, a fire occurred at company's pumping station on Croll School Road resulting in potassium permanganate entering Codorus Creek.
Potassium permanganate is added to water during the treatment process to disinfect it.
The spill resulted in a minimal fish kill of approximately 14 fish and two crayfish. There was no impact to customer's water supplies.