United
States Environmental Protection Agency Region IV
POLLUTION REPORT
Date:
Monday, November 22, 2004
From:
Kevin Misenheimer
Subject:
Initial Pollution Report
Hattiesburg WTP Mercury Spill
900 James Street,
Hattiesburg, MS
POLREP No.:
1
Site #:
1179
Reporting Period:
D.O. #:
Start Date:
11/17/2004
Response Authority:
CERCLA
Mob Date:
11/17/2004
Response Type:
Emergency
Demob Date:
NPL Status:
Non NPL
Completion Date:
Incident Category:
Removal Assessment
CERCLIS ID #:
Contract #
RCRIS ID #:
Site Description
On 17 November 2004 MDEQ SOSC Ernie Shirley notified that a mercury release occurred at the Hattiesburg water treatment plant due to a flow detection instrument that failed. The mercury appeared to be confined to an instrument room and the adjacent stairwell. MSDEQ hired USES to conduct the clean up activity including the use of mercury-specific absorbents and mercury vacuum cleaners.
Current Activities
EPA OSC Kevin Misenheimer and START contractor TTEMI mobilized to the site to assist with the airborne detection of mercury using mercury vapor analyzers and to provide guidance regarding clean up measures.
Planned Removal Actions
OSC Misenheimer and START will continue to provide technical assistance to MDEQ and their environmental cleanup contractor in addressing mercury contamination at the site.