Environmental Protection Agency and District 2 Public Health officials are urging the public to avoid the water in Allen Creek from Monroe Drive in Gainesville to the Hall-Jackson County line.
Hall County Fire Services Captain Zachary Brackett said it's due to contaminant runoff from Sunday night firefighting efforts at AFCO's Monroe Drive facility.
"Residents should avoid using the water for any purpose, including drinking, swimming, fishing or any other recreational activities until further notice," Brackett said.
Brackett said AFCO makes soap products, and the chemicals from the runoff have raised the pH levels in the creek.
He said anyone who comes into contact with water from the creek should wash the affected area thoroughly and consult a physician.
Monroe Drive remained closed to traffic at last check while crews continued to work on cleanup and mitigation efforts.
"Containment and runoff control has been established by creating dirt berms around the incident site and directing runoff into collection basins," Brackett stated in a media release. "Heavy equipment has been brought in and is actively demolishing the building on Monroe Drive while Hall County Fire Services personnel have extinguished remaining fire in the structure."
Air monitoring has not identified any public risk.
The initial call about fire at AFCO's roughly 3,000 square foot facility came around 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
