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Lee’s Summit water park evacuated, closed after chemical spill, fire department says

Summit Waves was closed Saturday after pool staff reported a strong chemical smell and crews discovered muriatic acid had leaked out of the sanitation area.
Summit Waves was closed Saturday after pool staff reported a strong chemical smell and crews discovered muriatic acid had leaked out of the sanitation area. Photo provided

The Summit Waves water park in Lee’s Summit was closed Saturday after staff discovered a potentially harmful cleaning chemical had leaked outside the sanitation area.

Before 9 a.m., pool staff reported a strong smell coming from the wave pool building.

The Lee’s Summit Fire Department responded, and crews discovered 10 to 15 gallons of muriatic acid — which can cause irritation to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts — had spilled from a faulty distribution line. The chemical did not get into any of the pools or public areas, Assistant Chief Jim Eden said.

The park was not open yet, but swim lessons were being held in a separate part of the park. Eden said the area was evacuated, and no one was injured in the incident.

The spill has been cleaned and the park is undergoing repairs, Eden said.

Summit Waves announced that it was closed, and that anyone who had purchased single visit passes would be contacted.

Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation will provide updates on its website as to when the park will open. Patrons may also check the park’s Facebook page at facebook.com/summitwaves.

This story was originally published June 10, 2023 at 3:28 PM.

Jenna Thompson
The Kansas City Star
Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.
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