NASHVILLE - Tennessee environmental officials say non-toxic drilling material from a Piedmont Natural Gas pipeline construction project has spilled into Sevenmile Creek in south Nashville.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation spokeswoman Meg Lockhart says the spill of bentonite happened Wednesday and is the company's second incident since May.
Bentonite is a naturally occurring material and is not toxic. But it can cause a cloudiness in the water which could harm or kill wildlife.
Lockhart told The Tennessean cleanup crews installed two check dams in the tributary. Another was installed in the creek itself.
Lockhart says Thursday's rain is a concern and high water halted cleanup efforts. The work will likely resume Friday morning.
In that May incident, about 300 gallons of bentonite clay and water spilled into Otter Creek.