Mayor Reinert Directs Internal Review Post Fish Kill In Tischer Creek

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert said on Sunday that he has directed internal leadership to review all procedures and training to figure out how 1.7 million gallons of treated drinking water got into Tischer Creek in August, ending with the killing of more than 1,000 fish.

Reinert took to social media Sunday to say the city’s drinking water is safe and it does end up in creeks, but not at the excessive rate that happened Aug. 1 during a maintenance operation at a nearby reservoir.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said the drinking water contained a mix of chlorine and ammonia, which they said is safe for humans.

But the CDC says that combination of chemicals known as chloramine can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life.

Mayor Reinert said the city is limited in what it can say at this time because the incident is under investigation by the MPCA and other agencies.

“First of all, we’re being active and good partners in that investigation. Secondly, in the meantime, your water is safe and continues to be safe. We have some of the best drinking water in Minnesota, and it continues to be so. Third, at the end of the investigation, whatever the actions are from those agencies, we will be compliant and we will be good partners. And fourth, whatever information we can share with you, we will share when we’re able to do it,” Reinert said.

There was also a smaller leak at the same reservoir on Aug. 13. The potential impact from that spill is also being investigated. Reinert said the leak has been repaired.