No oil from Woods Cross refinery blast found in Mill Creek

WOODS CROSS — Initial test results for petroleum-based compounds in water sampled from Mill Creek showed no detectable amounts of oil, after an explosion on Aug. 3 splattered fuel oil over a mile-long swatch from HollyFrontier Oil Corporation.

The state’s Division of Water Quality conducted the test and the director said more testing needs to be done to determine the full extent of any oil contamination and any long-term effects on the environment.

The finding was released on Friday.

"We aren’t seeing anything harmful to human health or aquatic life based on the data we have so far," said Walt Baker, director of Water Quality. "However, we are awaiting the results of a second round of samples taken after rainstorms on the Friday after the incident. That may give us a better indication of any harmful components that remain in the water."

There are many potentially harmful elements in petroleum products, according to a press release issued by the division. For more information, visit: www.deq.utah.gov/businesses/hollyrefinery/index.htm .