On November 3rd, 2006, an Puget Sound Energy (PSE) generator was mechanically overfilled by three 12,000 gallon underground storage tanks (UST’s). At first estimate, 18,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the generator pad and downhill towards a drainage ditch which flows under Crystal Mountain Drive to Silver Creek. The ditch was mostly clogged and the diesel fuel spilled down an access road close to ¼ of a mile in distance.
The majority of the fuel is believed to be trapped in the area of the generator pad. Temporary measures have been put in place to minimize the fuel moving offsite towards silver creek via drainage ditches. This has been accomplished with a series of trenches dug with absorbent materials placed in them and also an underflow dam constructed of PVC pipes and an earthen dam.
On Saturday, November 4th, a sheen was spotted on the nearby Silver Creek, which feeds the White River approximately 6 miles down stream from the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.
• Containment dams have been placed below the generator pad to prevent fuel from reaching the drainage ditches and are being inspected on a regular schedule. Absorbent materials were replaced this morning by NRC Environmental Services (NRCES), checked again around lunchtime, and will be replaced again this evening (Nov. 4th, 2006).
• Geo Engineering (GEO) for PSE has conducted field screening activities. GEO has collected water samples from Silver Creek up stream and down stream from the generator. The results have not been received yet.
• PSE has repair technicians on-scene attempting to repair the generator overflow system.
• NRC has dug test pits with water hoses and a vacuum truck to delineate the contamination and recover product. The water hoses and vacuum truck were used for safety around underground power lines leading to the generator.
• NRC will continue to recover product from the ground and maintain all spill control measures. Including maintaining trench near location wear diesel was observed entering Silver Creek.
• The Incident Command, which consist of USEPA, U.S. Department of Forestry, PSE, & Washington Department of Ecology (WDOE), to discuss additional mitigation efforts & remediation actions to occur on-site during the next 24 hour cycle.
• Recovering as much product as possible and minimize environmental impact.
• SCAT teams have noted the strong smell of diesel fuel in the White river, which is 5-6 miles below Silver Creek. Department of Health has been notified & local residents whom may be effected have been advised to take precautions, such as use of bottle water, until further accessment has been done determine if diesel is in water colum.
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