COON RAPIDS, Minn. – A mysterious sheen was spotted floating down the Mississippi River 20 miles upstream from Minneapolis. A few hours later a second sheen flowed by. Authorities hesitated to call it an oil spill, but oil does float on water – and the source was unknown. “We continue to gather information about the extent of the sheen and estimated volume,” the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency said. Water in Minneapolis and St. Paul is safe to drink, the agency said. As a precaution, crews deployed booms keep the sheen from water intakes for both cities. The state Health Department also sampled the sheens. Tests were negative for any threat to municipal drinking water systems, the agency said.
