ESCONDIDO, Calif. — Officials in Escondido, Calif., have launched an investigation into what caused a 15,000-gallon spill of sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye, at a water treatment plant near Lake Dixon, KGTV San Diego reported.
Crews discovered sodium hydroxide leaking out of two malfunctioning 15,000-gallon storage tanks at about 4:00 p.m. Monday.
About half the spill pooled in a safe containment area, but the rest coursed down a driveway and flowed into a nearby gorge.