On July 28, 2005, EPA Region 6 was notified of a large fire and heavy plume at the Valley Solvent and Chemical Company, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. Several explosions, injuries and nearby evacuations were reported. The smoke could be seen for 30+ miles.
Valley Solvent and Chemical is a chemical repackaging facility located approximately four miles north of downtown Fort Worth. Valley maintains a large inventory and variety of hazardous substances in tanks, drums and smaller containers. The site is located in an industrial complex with adjacent residential areas located less than one mile to the south and west. The cause remains under investigation.
Contractors continue to analyze, pretreat and accumulate runoff water. Organics, pH and foaming are the primary concerns.
Discharge to the Fort Worth POTW began today. TCEQ and FW are limiting discharge to one 20,000-gallon frac-tank at a time at a rate NTE 100 gpm. The POTW will determine whether foaming is a problem in the aeration portion of the system. If so, defoamer may be used.
OSHA inspectors, insurance company representatives and others are at the site investigating potential causes and interviewing employees and responders.
TCEQ may again request START and EPA support with the HAPSITE to accelerate analytical efforts.
Numerous fractionation tanks are staged at the containment dams to continue pretreating contaminated runnoff for discharge to POTW.
TCEQ will coordinate site remediation once investigators release the site.
Continue to coordinate and support water management activities
Two million gallons or more of contaminated runoff water discharged / flushed from the storm water system and contained.
Extreme heat poses a threat to workers.
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