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Hillsboro Oil Spill

 
Site Contact:
Richard Franklin
On-Scene Coordinator

(franklin.richard@epa.gov)

Site Location:
SW Freeman Ave
Hillsboro, OR 97123
 response.epa.gov/hillsborospill

On December 20, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) notified EPA of a oil spill (believed to be diesel mixed with some other oil) which, during a heavy rain storm, flowed across an industrial area road and parking lot, then thru a residential area, necessitating an evacuation of 3 homes due to heavy petroleum fumes. The oil spill flowed through the backyard and around at least one home, covering the yard and filling crawl space port sumps, potentially flowing into the crawl space beneath the home. Oil also was reported as flowing out onto the main street in front of the home and into a ditch which leads to McKay Creek within 1/8 mile. The Hillsboro Fire Department initially responded to the spill in the very early hours of the morning. Upon a request for assistance from ODEQ, EPA mobilized an On-Scene Coordinator and its START contractors to the site to assist ODEQ with the investigation. EPA is coordinating with the Hillsboro Fire Department investigator and City Water Department. ODEQ is taking the lead for clean-up and removal activities.


START sample collected of spill from upgradient crawlspace well Possible source sample collected at sump/UIC with visible free oily product Possible source sample collected at sump/UIC location NRC conducting decon of backyard items EPA observing NRC contractor conduct decon of backyard items NRC conducting cleanup of surface soil on upgradient side of residence fence Sheen on suspect patch of pavement west of Evers Auto Sheen on suspect patch of pavement west of Evers Auto START sample of free product collected at upgradient crawlspace well START collecting spill sample at upgradient crawlspace well Looking south across oiled backyard, towards upgradient flow path Sump/UIC location on site with oiled gravel Close up view of gravel filling the sump pump pit, plus the discharge pipe. Sump pump pit installed through asphalt pavement at the auto body shop. Driveway located to the west of the auto body shop. Residence is in the background to the right of the tall trees. Stormwater puddle with silver sheen located to the west of the auto body business. View to north and downslope toward backyard of residence where oil flowed Stormwater puddle with silver sheen located to the west of the auto body business. Stormwater puddle with silvery sheen to the west of the auto body business. Stained ground and auto parts outside the residence on the south side. Stained ground amidst auto parts outside the residence on the south side. Stressed vegetation outside the residence on the south side. View of stressed vegetation and oil sorbent boom laid outside the residence on the south side. View of stressed vegetation and oil sorbent boom laid outside the residence on the south side. View of residence backyard. View of residence that received oil contaminated stormwater runoff. View upgradient. View of runoff pathway. NRC removal of oily soil and vegetation at parking lot and rear fence line of impacted residence Free oil floating in residence crawl space port START / EPA sampling at sump located in the body shop lot NRC decontamination of Oiled items at home NRC cleanup of Oiled parking lot NRC assessment of impacted home NRC VAC truck
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