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Eden NC Coal Ash Spill

 
Site Contact:
Kenneth Rhame (Region 4) & Myles Bartos (Region 3)
OSCs

(rhame.kenneth@epa.gov)

Site Location:
900 S. Edgewood RD.
Eden, NC 27288
 response.epa.gov/edencoalash
NRC#: 1073018

EPA North Carolina outpost OSC (On-Scene Coordinator) received a phone call from North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources at 4:45 pm on 2/3/2014 requesting assistance in responding to a coal ash pond release that occurred on 2/2/2014.

The release of coal ash occurred at the Dan River Steam Station (Duke Energy) north of Eden, NC in Rockingham County. The estimated volume of ash released is between 50,000 tons and 82,000 tons. Also,approximately 27 million gallons of ash pond water waste released. The released ash and water was discharged to the Dan River. Attempts to secure release were reported to be unsuccessful. NC DENR requested an EPA presence for technical assistance.

Given proximity to the spill site and the potential impact of VA waters, Region 4 requested crossover support from its backup Region (EPA Region 3). Per our request, Region 3 deployed OSC Chris Wagner to the scene (about 3 hours away). Kevin Eichinger and Jose Negron, R4, were deployed from Atlanta.

A 48” slip-joint concrete and corrugated steel storm sewer line that runs under the ash pond failed. Coal ash and ash pond water flowed into the failed section of the line, and then to the Dan River. The 48" sewer line and a 36" sewer line that both run under the coal ash impoundment have been sealed. Crews are currently removing accessible coal ash from the Dan River and sampling drinking water, surface water and river sediments.

  • Information Update #1
  • Information Update #2
  • Information Update #3


    Go to EPA Region 4's Public Website Duke Energy Ash Spill into the Dan River for access to all validated EPA sample results for drinking water, surface water and river sediment


    • Ash release schematic Coal fly ash release at the storm sewer outfall into the Dan River. The partially collapsed dike wall. Ash pond collapse area. Ash pond collapse area Ash pond collapse area. Building a new dike wall directly adjacent to the undercut/eroded section. Building an access path into the ash pit to access the damaged storm sewer line. These pieces of equipment are building a safe staging area for a long-reach excavator to access the damaged line. Stormwater temporary plug. Photo via Flickr - Duke Energy Dan River Station. Photo via Flickr - Duke Energy Equipment in ash basin. Photo via Flickr - Duke Energy Stormwater Outfall US Fish and Wildlife and Duke Energy Crews preparing to sample Sample showing ash deposition on the sediment. Photo of the outflow to the Dan River showing very limited to now flow into the Dan River Dewatering operations. Dewatering operations Dan river bank with residual coal ash evident from Berry Hill Bridge rd Dan river bank with residual dark grey coal ash at Berry Hill Bridge Rd crossing coal tar residual along shore with clean sand below exposed at Berry Hill Bridge Rd Residual coal ash layer on shoreline near Rt 700 bridge crossing Exposing clean sand in the surficial coal ash layer near Rt 700 bridge Fallen tree branches on Dan river shoreline with residual coal ash Containment/pumping system to collect water moving down the damaged storm drain stopping all flow into the Dan River Containment/pumping system to collect water moving down the damaged storm drain stopping all flow into the Dan River Two de-watering sumps that keep the head pressure of the eartern plug and prevent ash and ash water from enter the storm drain line. Fortified containment and collection system at the outfall on the Dan River. Concrete Pumping Operations at the Storm Drain Outfall. The Concrete Slurry that was pumped into the storm drain outfall. The plugged storm drain outfall. A drain pipe was installed through the concrete plug to facilitate to filling the entire line storm drain line with concrete. Residual coal ash deposited on the left descending bank of the Dan river just downstream of the spill location. Coal ash removed from a hand core just downstream of the spill location on the bank of the Dan river Scaffolding constructed over the mouth of the outfall pipe Boom deployed down gradient of outfall pipe EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinators walk along the bottom of the ash impoundment area towards the decommissioned Dan River Steam Station Duke Energy responders work to identify the location of the concrete pipe below the coal ash impoundment EPA responders oversee Duke Energy officials working in the coal ash impoundment and bringing the 300 foot crane on-line to set the coffer boxes. Panoramic view of the top of the coal ash impoundment with the Dan River Steam Station in the foreground Federal On-Scene Coordinator Matt Huyser communicates planning issues from the safety zone overlooking the coal ash impoundment. The decommissioned Dan River Steam Station, Eden, NC The coal ash impoundment with the Dan River Steam Station and the new Combined Cycle Plant in the foreground. Image also depicts the outlet from the primary to secondary ash pond. EPA Regions 3 and 4 FOSCs, SESD and TTEMI meet to discuss sampling objectives and staff resource needs to help accomplish the mission. Spill site-Storm drain discharge point to Dan River plugged with grout surrounded by staging for safe access by workers USEPA Federal On-Scene Coordinator Carter Williamson surveying the spill site/storm drain from the Dan River after plugging with grout. Emergency Response Team (ERT) member Alan Humphreys scans the Dan River shoreline and riprap areas for evidence of coal ash. ERT and ERRB responders investigate the coal ash wash area immediately down-gradient of the outfall pipe on the Dan River Coal ash deposits on a sand bar approximately 3/4 mile from the outfall pipe Alan Humphrey, ERT, displays a 16 inch core of fly ash collected just downstream of the spill site on the bank of the Dan river Installation of the trench box. Installation of coffer box in coal ash impoundment Coal ash impoundment after installation of the coffer box on February 9, 2014 EPA Regions 3 and 4, ERT, USFWS, and VADEQ meet at the outfall area to discuss operational objectives and to plan for the removal of coal ash material. Site schematic 300 foot crane utilized for coffer box installation to access the storm water management pipe underneath the fly ash impoundment. Vacuum trucks deployed to the edge of Dan River to assist in the recovery of coal ash at the pipe outfall Shamrock responders tie off skirt boom as a secondary protective barrier for ash retrieval as boat operators deploy around the lower end of the boomed area. Shamrock responders tether themselves to the scaffolding structure as they prepare to remove coal ash residue from the river bank Boat operators, exposed to 9 degree weather as they ready themselves for coal ash removal along the outfall area on the Dan River Responders check the condition of the newly drilled vent at the bottom of the outfall pipe to help relieve internal pressure on the pipe to prepare it for concrete/grouting. VADEQ inspects the booming operation and progress of the coal ash removal at the outfall area on the Dan River Vacuum trucks, light stands and equipment deployed to the edge of the Dan River to aid in the coal ash recovery operation Trench box installation to access the damaged storm line. Vacuum pump operations at the river. Map showing sample locations for EPA, as well as other entities, through February 18, 2014. Map showing surface water sample locations along Dan River through 2/20/2014 Grouting operations at downgradient end of 48-inch pipe Grouting operations at downgradient end of 48-inch pipe Duke has brought in a dive contractor to aid in the ash recovery efforts. Duke has brought in a dive contractor to aid in the ash recovery efforts. Coal Ash Recovery operations outside 48
    For additional information, visit the Pollution/Situation Report (Pol/Sitreps) section.