United States Environmental Protection Agency
Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT

Subject: 

A tanker truck carrying 50% solution sodium hydroxide overturned on SR 156 in Ranger, GA.  Approximately 2,600  gallons of the material entered a tributary of Lick Creek.  Gordon County EMA and local Fire/HAZMAT teams were first responders to the scene. The trucking company involved in the incident contracted with an environmental cleanup company to mitigate the release to the creek.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division mobilized to the scene and providing oversight of cleanup activities. FOSC Sims and START were deployed to the Site to assist.

Activities conducted during this reporting period:

Following arrival to the Site at 1130 hrs, the FOSC and START integrated into the Unified Command (UC). The UC included representatives from the Gordon County Fre Department (GCFD), Gordon County Emergency Management Agency (GCEMA), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD), Georgia Department of Natural resources (GDNR) and Georgia Department of Safety and Transportation (GDOT).  

As of 2200 hrs, the responsible party, Transportation Services Unlimited (TSU) contractor, Marion Environmental inc (MEI), completed the transfer of NaOH from the tank and removal of of the wreckage from the Site. The transport manifest indicated the tank was carrying 3,900 gallons 50% solution NaOH. Based on the amount remaining in tank, TSU estimates 2,577 gallons released to the roadside ravine and directly into a tributary of Lick Creek. Reconnaissance of the area indicated elevated pH along a 1/2 mile stretch of the tributary. There was no evidence observed during the reconnaissance which indicated an impact to downstream Salacoa Creek.

An underflow dam was constructed 1/2 mile southwest and downstream of the head water/spill point of entry(POE). The elevated pH product and water is being removed from the tributary via vacuum trucks and either transported directly to the TSU facility or transferred to onsite frac tanks for temporary storage and future transport.

To date, an estimated 38,000 gallons of elevated pH water has been recovered from the waterway and transported offsite for recycling at the nearby TSU facility. The pH of the creek ranges from 13 (at POE) to 10.0 (recovery station).

Currently, pumping operations are being conducted simultaneously at the POE and downstream recovery station.  A secondary recovery station downstream of the makeshift dam is planned as a precautionary measure to catch any overflow. Downstream intakes have been identified and are being monitored. The Calhoun County water treatment plant, located approximately 2 miles downstream of the Site was notified of the incident, and the facility indicated it would be able to handle the elevated pH, if impacted. No indication of such an impact is evidenced at this time. The release appears to be confined to the immediate area within 1/2 mile of the POE.

A 24 hour operational period has been established. TSU has engaged the necessary resources to mitigate the release and conduct cleanup operations. GEPD is providing oversight but has requested technical support from EPA. EPA will continue to monitor the situation and assist, as necessary.

ONSCENE PERSONNEL:

INCIDENT COMMAND
GCFD (1)
GDOT (1)
GEPD (1)
EPA (1)
COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF
GCEMA (4)
GEPD (1)
GDNR (1)
TSU RP (1)
FIELD OPERATIONS
GCFD Hazmat(6)
MEI(11)
Law Enforcement (2)
START (2)

There is an 80% chance of rain forecasted for tomorrow (2/14). The IC and command and general staff have concerns that such an event could cause flooding in the immediate area of the spill and, as such, immediate actions are warranted to expedite recovery efforts.  

In an attempt to address this concern, insitu neutralization of the NaOH-contaminated water will begin at 0430 hrs tomorrow (2/14) at "hot spots" near the POE. Based on calculations and field pilot tests provided by TSU's chemical engineer, 1 gallon sulfamic acid (a low fuming acid) will neutralize ~ 40 gallons of pH 13 creek water down to pH 7. EPA's START contractors have confirmed the calculations and witnessed the results of the field pilot tests.

Application of the acid will be provided via plastic bailer placed in deepest point of source area and dispensed through a funnel. The first ~150' is where the highest concentrations of NaOH is present and, as such, where the acid will be applied.

This decision meets with the approval of the IC and command and general staff.

The RP has engaged the necessary resources to mitigate the release. GEPD is providing oversight of the cleanup but has requested technical assistance from EPA.  

Unified Command is in place and will continue under a 24 operational period until further notice. Recovery efforts are anticipated to continue throughout the weekend.