On the afternoon of 6/20/08, a local resident reported dark material in Casey creek near Waverly and Morganfield, Union County, KY. Follow-up by the KY Department of Environmental Protection (KYDEP) discovered a large release of coal slurry from a 8" transfer line break at the Patriot Coal co. facility located off Highway 141. The slurry entered a ditch on the Patriot Coal Co. property and flowed to Casey creek. The material traveled several miles in Casey creek before entering Highland creek, a tributary to the Ohio river.
An estimated 7-8 miles of creek was impacted by the release. On June 22, KY DEP requested EPA assistance. OSC Spurlin and START contractor, TTEMI, mobilized to the site.
The company installed five overflow/diversion dams and was utilizing a vac-truck to collect the coal fines from the creek. The company pledged to maintain the downstream containment structures to prevent further migration of the coal material to protect downstream water intakes in the Ohio river and the Sloughs Wildlife Management area located 15 miles downstream.
EPA and START demobilized the evening of 6/22 after the company provided an adequate plan to continue removal of the coal fines. EPA collected two samples from the release area and will analyze the samples for heavy metals.
The company plans to use a crew and small boat equipped with a small pump to wash the coal fines off the force coal fines into suspension and to a collection point. The overflow/diversion structures will allow control of the water level and flow rate to aid in coal slurry collection.
Due to the significant distance the creeks have been impacted and limited access to collection points, the recovery efforts will be slow. KY DEP will remain on-site to continue oversight of the cleanup and ensure the cleanup meets the KY DEP criteria.
The last dam was removed on June 26, 2008. Collection actions ceased and hydro-seeding of impacted areas was undertaken.
Coal slurry is typically not a CERCLA Hazardous Substance, but may contain low level hazardous substances such as arsenic, mercury, and chromium. Coal slurry release may be responded to as a pollutant & contaminant or hazardous substance depending on specific data.
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