On 9/6/2007, EPA’s R6 Emergency Response Team was notified of an ongoing release from the Agrifos Fertilizer Inc. located at 2100 Jackson Road, Pasedena, TX. The National Response Center ( NRC) has assigned the incident NRC # 847936. The release occurred when a retaining wall failed resulting in the discharge of effluent from a large gypsum mound. The discharge is reported to exhibit a pH of 2, contain sulfuric and phosphoric acids, and metals. The USCG has confirmed a fish kill associated with the release with a noticeable “dead” zone. The RP has estimated that 10 million gallons of process water has been discharged since the incident began. It is estimated approximately 6 million gallons of effluent has been pumped and discharged within the past two days. This discharge was pumped by the responsible party (RP) to reduce hydraulic pressure on the retaining wall and provide additional capacity for future rain events. The RP has requested an emergency discharge permit for the discharge from the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Currently, the release is an un-permitted discharge from the facility to Cotton Patch Bayou and then into the Houston Ship Channel.
It is estimated that 25-35 million gallons of process water is contained behind the retaining wall. An additional 175 million gallons of process water is contained within the impoundments located on the top of the gypsum mound. The RP is concerned about the potential catastrophic release of either of the impoundments. The facility has had similar releases from the facility in the past.
The USCG, TCEQ, and Harris County Pollution Control were responding to the incident.
EPA’s Emergency Response Team mobilized to the site on 9/7/2007. OSC Ruhl initially met with the USCG FOSC responsible for USCG actions to date. USCG FOSC Diehl discussed the current situation, objectives, and needs. The USCG Strike Team is also on scene. EPA mobilized the START-3 contractor to provide a Tier 1 response and to provide engineering support to evaluate the structural integrity of the retaining wall. Also, providing resources and technical assistance to the response were ERT, EPA R6 Enforcement Division, and OECA, and an OECA contractor.
The RP added fly ash to the discharge. This was done in an attempt to neutralize the acid prior to entering the Houston Ship Channel.
A structural assessment was conducted of the retaining wall to determine the structural integrity of the wall. The assessment determined that the area in which the breach occurred must be repaired/patched before it can be used. It was determined that this area could be isolated and the remaining retaining wall be used. Upon this determination, EPA, USCG, and TCEQ requested the RP to discontinue the pumping and discharge of the effluent to Cotton Patch Bayou. The RP discontinued the pumping of the discharge at approximately 1800 on 9/7/2007. No releases have been discovered since that time.
The RP is conducting a feasibility study to utilize the facility’s WWTP for the treatment of effluent. Assisting in the study was EPA’s Michael Williams (EPA R6 Enforcement), START-3 and OECA contractors. It was determined that the facility WWTP could treat the effluent but would likely exceed permitted ammonia concentrations. It is expected that the WWTP could treat up to 275,000 gallons per day.
The RP and Harris County Pollution Control conducted sampling of discharged material. It is estimated that sample results will be available in 7 days. The RP is conducting pH monitoring three times per day.
ICS is being utilized for the response. EPA continues to operate within unified command. The RP, TCEQ, and the USCG are represent as the UC/IC.
1) The facility currently has 25 million gallons of water that needs to be removed to return the facility to a non-emergency situation. Remedies developed, proposed, and implemented will likely not be a long-term solutions
2) No additional storage capacity has been identified.
3) Any precipitation that is received by the facility add to the cumulative total of water that needs to be removed.
4) An assessment of the illegal discharge area will be conducted 9/9/2007.
5) The RP has contracted the repair of the retaining wall.
6) The USCG and RP have each issued a press release for incident.
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