Inhabitants finally able to return to the Serpentine

City officials believe the substance found in the Crescent Park Serpentine last week, was either dumped into the water directly or worked its way through the city's storm sewer system.
Ryan Johnson, city engineer, said the exact origin of the substance is still unknown.
Johnson said the samples taken from the Serpentine have shown the substance found in the water was oil, however not the oil expected.
"It wasn't an oil like that of motor oil or gasoline. It was a heavier carbon."
Johnson said the city is not sure what the exact type of oil was that covered the Serpentine's surface. However, the oil found was one that would have been distilled or boiled, such as a cooking oil or canola oil.
"We don't know for certain what it is, but it was some sort of heavy oil."
Johnson said it is unlikely the person or people responsible for the pollution will ever be known. The city has tried to locate the source of the pollutant, however, it has been unsuccessful.
He said because the amount of oil spilled was minimal, the city is not going to investigate further.
"Whoever did (put the oil in the water) should not have done it. But this is an example that it doesn't take a lot to make an impact."
He said crews spent both Thursday and Friday cleaning the water, with the ducks sitting on the sidelines.
"The fact that the ducks were avoiding the (contaminated) water was a pretty good indication that whatever it was, it wasn't good."
Johnson said although the city did what it could to accommodate the ducks while it cleaned the Serpentine, it was no later than Friday night that Crescent Park's seasonal residents were making their way back into the water.
As for the oil absorbent pads currently in the Serpentine, Johnson said they would remain for a few more days to ensure no harmful substances pass into the drain, located at the east end of the park.
Johnson said he can only hope people think twice before they pour anything down the storm sewers in the future.

Lyndsay McCready can be reached at 691-1256.