Montgomery County and Takoma Park Officials Investigate Sligo Creek Odor

Officials from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection are investigating the cause of an oil-like smell, and have been out to various sites around Sligo Creek, including the Longbranch area.

—sometimes characterized as smelling similar to oil, rubber or tar—since Friday.

According to environmental compliance supervisor Steve Martin, staff members did not notice any odor, and did not see a threat to the creek itself, witnessing live fish swimming around.

"While we did not find anything, we will plot reports from citizens on a map and continue to monitor the situation," said Martin.

Martin is encouraging residents to call the county's 311 number to report their findings. It's important to include the date it was smelled, time, location, type of smell and, intensity.

Takoma Park City Officials Investigate Oil-like Odor

To ensure the safety of patients and surrounding neighbors, Takoma Park public works director Daryl Braithwaite sent city engineer Ali Khalilian to investigate the area surrounding . Khalilian did not report any odor or anything unusual in the water.

Sligo Creek is a tributary of the Anacostia River, 75 percent of which runs through Montgomery County. It is bordered by Arcola Avenue and University Boulevard to the north and east, and Queens Chapel Road to the south.

Residents who notice the odor around Sligo Creek are encouraged to report any occurances of the odor to the Department of Environmental Protection.

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