Yonkers Hazmat Situation: Chemical Reaction at Hillview Reservoir

Hazmat Incident at Hillview Reservoir

• ⚠️ A chemical reaction involving a Department of Environmental Protection truck at the Hillview Reservoir in Yonkers prompted a hazmat situation.
• 💡 The incident occurred around 11:15 AM involving a 3,000-gallon truck containing sodium hydroxide.
• ⚡ The sodium hydroxide, used to neutralize chlorine in drinking water, reacted with an unknown substance in the truck, causing it to bubble and fizz.

Spill and Response

• 💧 Some of the product spilled over from the truck and flowed down a roadway.
• 🚒 A specialized Yonkers fire department task force responded to the scene.
• 🚫 Streets were closed, and residents in the immediate area were advised to shelter in place, with schools also shutting down.

Cleanup and Safety Assurance

• 🛠️ Crews used vermiculite to contain the spill and water to dilute it.
• ✅ By 1:30 PM, the all-clear was given, and officials stated that the water supply was safe and unaffected.
• 💧 The Hillview Reservoir holds approximately one billion gallons of drinking water, supplying New York City and Yonkers with about a one-day supply.
• 🚧 While the emergency is over, cleanup operations are continuing on site.