HAZELWOOD, MO (KSDK) — Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources is working to find out why the waters of Coldwater Creek have turned white.

Residents living near the Hazelwood creek say the water looks like milk, but has a strong chemical odor.

“I’m astonished that it is pure milk white,” neighbor Mary Oscko said. “Isn’t there a public responsibility, if somebody did this or saw this, and they know how it happened, to let the public know what’s going on?”

“You can’t see through it at all,” neighbor Julie Hartwell said. “I just want to know if it’s toxic.”

On Sunday, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources sent staff to collect samples. A spokesperson says they haven’t observed any fish kill and more information will be available after their investigation is complete.