Officials trying to trace oil spill in Pawcatuck River

Westerly — State and federal environmental officials are trying to determine the origin of an oil spill in the Pawcatuck River.

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management said it was notified Thursday of the spill and worked with the local fire department to put up booms Thursday afternoon and again this morning. The department characterized the spill, which it said is possibly a waste oil spill, as “somewhat contained.”

Stonington First Selectman Ed Haberek contradicted the idea that the spill is contained, saying Connecticut officials told him the river is running too fast to put out booms to try and stop the substance from going down the river.

“There’s nothing they can do to stop it right now,” Haberek said. “The smell is horrible.”

The DEM said it determined that the section of the river involved is under the jurisdiction of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and is awaiting EPA’s arrival.

Haberek said Connecticut divers heading into the river this morning to further inspect the Pawcatuck River Bridge discovered the substance and called authorities at about 9:45 a.m.

Haberek said town and state officials from Connecticut and Rhode Island investigated and traced the substance to a catch basin on Canal Street. Canal Street was submerged for many days during last week’s flood.