The Hinds County Wood Preserving Company, Inc. (HCWP) began operations in the early 1960s and ceased operations around 1978. HCWP treated lumber with creosote in two pressure vessels. Remaining on-site as of 11/06/2006 were both pressure vessels (Tanks 2 and 6), three above-ground storage tanks (AST) (Tanks 1, 3, and 5), the facility boiler (Tank 4), and various pieces of equipment and treated lumber. The removal assessment determined 1) that each of the three ASTs contains some amount of material with a collective total of approximately 14,000 gallons, 2) each of the pressure vessels contains some amount of residual creosoting material and one was actively leaking, 3) seven drums of waste oil-water mixture were left on-site, 4) the boiler unit insulation contained asbestos while the pressure vessel’s insulation did not, and 5) equipment contaminated with creosote remained on-site.
The site is drained by several ditches that converge at the northeast, adjacent to Learned Oakley Road, and flow via culverts into Bitter Creek on the east side of the road. The nearest residence is located 120 yards and uphill from the site. The resident maintains a groundwater well on the property, but the house has been connected to a municipal water supply.
Removal of brush and trees is nearly complete and continues to be chipped. Treated lumber, Tires, and Uncontaminated metal continues to be segregated.
Sampling of the ASTs and pressure vessels was completed. Tanks 1 and 5 both appeared to contain mostly water, as Tank 1 has approximately a 4-foot opening that was found uncovered. Tank 3 contains creosote or oil material. Tank 2 is mostly empty, the door of the vessel has been opened, and contamination is limited to residue along the floor and tracks. Tank 6 has approximately one foot of creosote material.
Material was cleared away from Tank 4 to allow space for the asbestos removal.
During sampling, a valve at the bottom of Tank 1 was damaged and began to leak. The flow rate was measured at 6 gallons per hour. Attempts to plug the leak failed, and it was determined that a holding tank would have to be constructed or that the material would have to be moved to another container. A secondary container could not be obtained quickly enough. An on-site Hazard Classification determined that the material in Tanks 1 and 5 were safely compatible. The material in Tank 1 was then transferred entirely to Tank 5.
An orange construction fence was erected around the perimeter of the work zone at the site. A barbed-wire and chain-link fence with a gate was constructed to store equipment overnight and during the weekends.
- Clearing of vegetation and trees to gain access to contaminated areas. (ONGOING)
- Removal and bulking of contaminated wastes and/or hazardous substances from tanks and drums. (ONGOING)
- Demolition and removal of tanks and removal contaminated materials such as abandoned equipment.
- Excavate, stockpile and re-locate the contaminated surface soil.
- Collect and analyze confirmation samples from the excavated areas.
- Restore and backfill excavated areas with clean fill.
- Conduct additional sampling for waste profiling.
- Additional sampling to confirm extent and boundary of migrated contaminants.
- Construct drainage areas to hold wash water for decontamination
- Decontaminate and demolish tanks
- Decontaminate and demolish pressure vessels
- Have asbestos removed
The best method for decontanimating and demolishing the pressure vessels has not been determined. The length of the vessels (as much as 95 feet), the thickness of the steel (as much as 3/4"), and the fact that creosote can be flammable are all significant factors that must be considered when developing the most time-effective and safest proceedure. The USCG Gulf Strike Team will be present when work resumes after the Thanksgiving break, and will assist to determine that the selected proceedure is the safest possible option.
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