On March 21, 2006, Pandora Manufacturing spilled approximately 950 gallons of a commercial floor coating and 6,000 gallons of an ammonia/water mixture to a storm sewer leading to the Riley Creek. Ohio EPA and Ohio DNR responded to the spill. The spill has moved down the Riley Creek and entered the Blanchard River, a tributary of the Auglaize River. The City of Ottawa, Ohio closed its drinking water intake to prevent potential impact from the spill. On March 22, 2006, Ohio EPA requested U.S. EPA assistance. The spill initially moved downstream as a 1-mile blue/green emulsion dispersed throughout the water column.
The spilled material has entered the Blanchard River. The City of Ottawa shut down their drinking water intake several days before impact.
Pandora Manufacturing's contractor continues to attempt to collect or dissipate the spilled product. The use of an air curtain and water circulation activities as a means of aeration coupled with hay bale "filters", activated carbon, and sand dams have reduced the emulsion.
Ohio EPA and Village of Pandora Fire Department Chief Robert McCoy have been leading investigations into the cause and pathways of the spill.
U.S. EPA has collected water samples from Riley Creek and Blanchard River, including: upstream background, spill emulsion, and downstream extent of contamination samples, and is awaiting full analytical results. Preliminary analytical results and water quality readings indicate normal levels of phosphorus, ammonia as nitrogen, zinc, VOCs, and dissolved oxygen.
Putnam County EMA Director Steven Odenweller is coordinating daily meeting with response agencies.
U.S. EPA has also collected sediment samples adjacent to the Ottawa drinking water intake and a water sample from the Ottawa drinking water reservoir. These samples were collected at the request of the City of Ottawa. U.S. EPA is awaiting full analytical results.
Putnam County EMA is providing aerial over flights to track the progress of the cleanup.
Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR), EPA's Environmental Response Team (ERT), EPA's National Decontamination Team, and 3M (the floor sealant manufacturer) are being consulted.
No substantial fish or wildlife impacts have been noted to date. U.S. EPA continues to consult U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Ohio DNR, as appropriate.
U.S. EPA has mobilized a Community Involvement Coordinator from the Office of Public Affairs to assist in communications with local officials and the public.
Finish oversight of RP attempts to collect or dissipate product in water.
Receive and distribute full-scale analytical results of water and sediment samples.
Assist State and local agencies with analytical and technical needs.
Spilled product is believed to be non-toxic and water soluble. However, it is not dissipating in the water column as would be expected. It is possible that cold temperatures are contributing to the current situation.
Putnam County EMA has notified the county EMAs located between the spill site and Lake Erie. The next drinking water intake downstream of the City of Ottawa is more than 40 miles away.
|
