Chemical Leak Shuts Down Dogwood Park Fountain

The interactive fountain at Dogwood Park in Cookeville is shut down after a mechanical issue, causes a chemical leak Friday.

Leisure Services Director Rick Woods said an automatic pump failed to pump muriatic acid into the water, causing a leak inside the pump house. Woods said the fountain operates like a swimming pool, and muriatic acid balances and stabilizes the water.

However, a solution is in the works to bring an expert in to get the fountain running.

“The person we have identified is in Nashville, so we’re waiting on someone to come from Nashville, to look at our fountain and help us get it back up and running,” Woods said

Even though an expert has been identified, Woods said it is still too early for a cost estimate on repairing damages.

There are damages within the pump house because of the muriatic acid leak, which will be assessed. There is no timetable currently for reopening.

“We hope to have it up and running again before the season ends, that gives us a lot of time,” Woods said.

The fountain closes for the season at the end of October.