Oil Sheen Persists on Nashua River

On March 9 Nashua Fire was dispatched for a reported oil sheen near the Peddler's Daughter restaurant on Main Street in Nashua.

Nashua Emergency Management Director Justin Kates said that Nashua Fire was called to the site to determine the source of the oil sheen. Preliminary assessments indicate it is residue from the illegal oil dumping in a Water Street catch basin

On Feb. 23, NH Department of Environmental Services noted that residue from a discharge pipe off Water Street would allow some additional discharge over the next few weeks. This may especially be prevalent in the event of additional rain or snow, such as Nashua recently experienced.  The resulting “rainbow” slicks that may form will be monitored but are not expected to pose any threat to the environment, per the DES. 

These slicks can be produced by a small amount of contaminate that normal dilution and evaporation will adequately resolve in a short time period, Kates said.  

Nashua Wastewater Department was sent out to confirm the source of the oil and to determine if there are any additional actions that can be taken on the oil residue.  City of Nashua personnel will continue to monitor the site for any active changes and take necessary actions, Kates said.