On June 1, 2015 a transfer truck and trailer hauling a transformer containing non-PCB oil overturned releasing the oil as well as damaging a fire hydrant. The ruptured hydrant, compounded by the saturated soil from recent heavy rain events, migrated the mineral oil over land through a drainage ditch to Kossuth Creek. The impact to the surface waters has been documented to have impacted an estimated 6.2 miles from the source release to the Tuscumbia River Canal. The exact volume of oil transported and released from the transformer is currently under investigation by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT). At this time, the retained contractor for the responsible party (RP) has collected approximately three thousand gallons of pure product. A Unified Command (UC) system has been established to mitigate the spill and chaired by EPA, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) and the RP. During the initial reporting period, the transport trailer wreckage, transformer and pooled oil was removed. Initial reconnaissance of the impacted waters and channel banks have been completed and no aquatic mortality reported. The UC has implemented a Work Plan to include a "phased" mitigation approach to address the areas of concern over six collection zones.
