The Chesapeake Fire Marshall reported an urea ammonium nitrate spill to EPA on November 12th. The spill originated from the Allied Terminals Compound in Chesapeake, VA. EPA OSCs are on scene to assist the VA Department of Emergency Management and the Chesapeake Fire Department, the leads for the response.
Early estimates indicated a 250,000 gallon spill from the facility. A 2.3 million gallon aboveground steel roof fixed tank collapsed during repairs. More accurate figures show that the tank spilled 2 million gallons of urea ammonium nitrate (liquid fertilizer) into its containment and the adjacent area. The spill flooded three city streets and some yards, and moved toward the Elizabeth River. Two workers doing tank maintenance were injured and taken to the hospital.
The Allied facility has hired HEPACO to conduct the cleanup in the area. The initial cleanup focused focused heavily on removing liquids from residential areas by using berms, damns, and pumping liquids into fract trucks. Railroad tracks through the facility have been closed pending inspection from Labor and Industry.
EPA On Scene Coordinators are on site 24 hours each day to assist the Department of Emergency Management and the local Fire Department by assessing the extent of contamination and cleanup needs. VDEQ, EPA and the US Coast Guard have been monitoring the potential impact to the river and on the homes. Both EPA and the Allied contractor are providing air monitoring during the event. EPA has a Public Information Officer assigned to the incident and a member of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry available on scene.
As of this morning an estimated 750,000 gallons of product had been collected. As of this evening an estimated 790,672 gallons of material have been collected. HEPACO continues pumping materials into storage tanks and fract trucks.
Rain has helped to significantly reduce exposure to the fertlizer but it has created large volumes of water that need to be managed. HEPACO has managed the large influx of water today with the use of fixed tanks and mobile fract trucks. Flooding in the neighborhood is now contained. HEPACO is looking to focus its resources on addressing the response area west of Rosemont Rd. This area included the failed tank and its containment area. As of last night, the containment area was estimated to have 1 million gallons of product.
Heavy rains in the area have significantly impacted the response. EPA has been closely monitoring operations at two impacted outfall areas that were diked yesterday to prevent releases. These outlets are the only source of drainage for the area and are being managed carefully. The management of large amounts of water has become a logistical issue. Some items of concern are a diesel storage tank area with containment berms that could collect large amounts of rainwater. This rainwater would need to be addressed to eliminate the potential of tanks floating.
EPA has arranged for sampling of drinking water wells at two homes tonight. Residents have been notified to contact the VDH if they believe they have a drinking water well. Most residents in the area are connected to the municipal water system. The Chesapeake Water Department evaluated that the fertilizer is not a concern within the city drinking system. The Department is still recommending the boiling of water due to the potential for bacteria in the system, from an earlier system break. Residents will be notified once tests confirm the water is free from bacteria.
Various residents continue evacuated from their homes. Residents who are evacuating are being offered accomodations. Evacuation information is being handled at the South Norfolk Community Center, 1217 Godwin Avenue. The Fire Department has assigned a public information officer. He may be reached at 757-377-2886.
The next operational meeting will be held at 0800hrs on 11/14/2008.
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