Approximately 25,000 gallons of number 6 fuel oil was released from the over-flow line of a 2.4 million gallon tank into the secondary containment at the Gainesville Regional Utility's Deerhaven Generating Station. Due to possible "human error" approximately 10,000 to 12,000 gallons of that oil was released into the Utility's storm water system. Approximately 13,000 gallons of oil was recovered from the secondary containment and another 2,900 gallons was recovered from the storm water system. The oil has contaminated soil and water along approximately 1/2 mile of a drainage ditch within the Utility's property. The release has been secured with earthen dams and collection pits and cleanup is underway. The oil and water mixture is being recovered and the soils will b excavated along the ditch. No oil left the Utility's property and Turkey Creek has not been impacted.
Containment of the spill was accomplished with earthen dams and collection pits. Free product was recovered from the secondary containment (approximately 13,000 gallons) and approximately 3,000 gallons of product was recovered from the storm water system and collection pits of 05 June 2006. Grubbing has been done to get access to the drainage ditch and heavy equipment has been staged.
Recovery of product and contaminated water will continue. Excavation of contaminated soils will be done. The excavated soils will be staged onsite with wet soils going it dewatering boxes. The contaminated soils will be sampled and then transported for thermal treatment. Restoration of the impacted ditches and land will be done.
Florida Department of Envionmental Protection and the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department will continue to provide oversight of the cleanup.
The drainage ditch which flows to Turkey Creek was heavily impacted, but no contamination reached Turkey Creek nor off site of the property.
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