This pollution report focuses on the activities performed from 11/25/08 through 12/4/08. For more general information regarding EPA's activities at the Site, please see the Site description or previous pollution reports (polreps).
As Incident Commander, the City of Chesapeake is requesting EPA maintain a presence at the scene until residential cleanup is complete and the threat of further migration of fertilizer and/or ammonia vapors is mitigated. The primary focus of EPA's activities on Site at this time is to ensure that contaminated soils are excavated and removed from the South Hill neighborhood in a manner which is safe for the community.
Allied’s contractor, HEPACO, completed excavation at various areas including the ditch surrounding the corner of Banks and Hannah Streets and residences on Banks Street. On 12/2/08 Allied received access to do its cleanup of a residential yard on Bannister Street. The property is surrounded by drainage ditches and fertilizer and rain pooled around it for days. During its first day of digging on 12/3/08, HEPACO collected 2,500 gallons of fertilizer and water mix from the property. HEPACO will continue digging at the residence on Bannister Street and along the adjacent City easement until ambient ammonia levels are under 10 ppm and levels within the crawl spaces are below 1.7 ppm for three consecutive days. HEPACO finished dressing and re-vegetating a residential property on Banks Street. HEPACO also continued working on the ditches on Hannah and Banks Street.
Allied has provided rooms at a local hotel for four residents who have preferred to stay away from their homes during the excavation. In preparation for the work, Chief Best from the Chesapeake Fire Department, and Dr. Nancy Welch from the Virginia Department of Health recommended that residents in the immediate vicinity to the excavation areas be offered the opportunity for temporary relocation during the excavation. These residences were selected by VDH upon EPA's recommendation of their proximity to the impacted areas and on air monitoring readings to date.
Allied, Virignia Department of Labor and the US Chemical Safety Board, the Chesapeake Fire Department, and EPA met on 12/2/08 to discuss various issues with the facility.
HEPACO will continue digging at the residence on Bannister Street and along the adjacent City easement until ambient ammonia levels are under 10 ppm and levels within the crawl spaces are below 1.7 ppm for three consecutive days.
VDEQ continues to discuss on site excavation and disposal with Allied. HEPACO continues to dig out earthen dikes within the facility that contain fertilizer. Allied and its insurance began their forensics investigations of the collapsed tank this week.
CTEH continues to conduct air monitoring for Allied.
HEPACO has recovered large amounts of liquid from the property on Bannister Road. The contractor is taking precautions to recover all liquid fertilizer that may remain on the property and to make sure the liquid is draining away from the home.
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