INEZ, KY – The Department of Environmental Protection said it will continue to ensure the awaremess of any potential damage caused by a spill from a coal slurry pond in Martin County.

Martin County Coal had a leaky valve that resulted in a spill into Coldwater Creek Tuesday morning.

Allison Fleck with the DEP Division of Water, said the agency does not know how long the spill lasted or how much material was leaked, although the spill affected six miles of the creek.

“We always go into an emergency state when a spill occurs,” Fleck said. “Our environmental response team has been there using a vacuum truck, straw bales and filtering fabric to help clean up the site.”

Fleck explained there had been no reports of damage to fish or wildlife or to the drinking water supply in the area.

“Our investigation is not finished,” Fleck said. “We will continue to take samples and monitor the water to check the dilution and settling rate until we are satisfied.”

Martin County Coal reported the incident to the DEP and contacted EnviroPro, a company that does industrial cleanup shortly after the spill was discovered, Fleck said.