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EPA Region 4 received notification from the National Response Center (NRC) of a transformer spill located at 1000 South Dennis Street, Enfield NC, Halifax County. This site is the location of an abandoned box company. The cause of the release is vandalism, copper thieves stealing copper from the transformers. The amount of transformer oil spilled is estimated at 600 gallons. Three transformers with 200 gallon capacity each. These transformers were recently sampled by the town and had concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (pcb's) at 158 parts per million (ppm), 274 ppm and 266 ppm arochlor 1260. The town of Enfield is believed to be a potetial responsible party since they own their own electrical grid, thus were the owners of the transformers. Halifax County Emergency Management notified the NRC and contacted Eastern Environmental to stabilize the site. Eastern Environmental responded, placed absorbant boom around the spill area and covered the spill area with plastic. The spill area is estimated to be 150' X 12', it is located approximately 30' from a storm drainage ditch that is a tributary to Fishing Creek. The spill area is located approximately 3/4 mile from Fishing Creek. EPA was advised that Fishing Creek has a public drinking water intake; however, the intake is located upstream from where the ditch enters Fishing Creek. The release could have occurred as long as 60 days ago, the last time the transformers were observed intact.
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