A tanker truck carrying 50% solution sodium hydroxide overturned on SR 156 in Ranger, GA. Approximately 2,600 gallons of the material entered a tributary of Lick Creek. Gordon County EMA and local Fire/HAZMAT teams were first responders to the scene. The trucking company involved in the incident contracted with an environmental cleanup company to mitigate the release to the creek.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division mobilized to the scene and providing oversight of cleanup activities. FOSC Sims and START were deployed to the Site to assist.
Response operations conducted during this reporting period (2/14-15) include the following activities:
Twenty-four hour recovery operations continue at the site. Three operations and maintenance stations have been established at the Site to mitigate the impacted waterway:
Station #1 is located at the point of entry (POE) of the Lick Creek tributary at SR 156. The pH reading at this location ranges from 12-13. Mitigation at this station include "hot spot" pH adjustment and creek water recovery. Pockets of NaOH at this location, north of the SR 156 culvert, are being treated with non-fuming sulfamic acid and transferred to tanker trucks. Additionally, vacuum trucks equipped with vacuum filter boxes are being used to siphon creek water, south of the SR 156 culvert, down to the sediment layer of the creek. Water recovered from from both operations are being transported offsite to Allied Treatment Facility, Dalton, GA for further processing.
Station #2 is located at Lick Road, 1/2 mile downstream of the POE. Operations at this station consist of physical mixing and direct siphoning of creek water into 21,000 gallon capacity frac tanks. Mixing is being conducted to expedite dissociation. Three (3) frac tanks are stationed at this location to receive and store elevated creek water. The pH readings at this location ranges from 9.5-11.0.
Station #3 is located at Pleasant Hill Road Extension, approximately 1/8 mile downstream of station #2. Operations were expanded to this location due to a breach at Station #2 (caused by raining). Station #3 serves as the primary recovery station. Twenty-four (24) frac tanks are stationed at this location to receive and store elevated pH creek water. The pH reading at this station ranges from 8.5-9.4. Creek water recovered from this station is being transferred directly to onsite frac tanks for storage and, subsequently, are transferred to tanker trucks for transport to Aqua Treatment facility, Chattanooga, TN for further processing/recycling.
Approximately 10-15 dead fish (mainly small trout and minnows - 3" and less) were observed during Sunday’s reconnaissance at the tributary. GDNR was notified of findings. Monitoring continues downstream of the spill/recovery area and indicate no negative impact to downstream receptors from the release.
To date, 124 tanker trucks (averaging 5,500 gallons each)containing elevated pH creek water have been transported offsite for disposal/recycling. Twenty-three (23)frac tanks are at capacity and awaiting transport. The total elevated-pH water recovered to date is estimated at 1.1 million gallons.
UC continues under 24 hour operations and include representatives from the Gordon County Fre Department (GCFD), Gordon County Emergency Management Agency (GCEMA), Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GEPD), Georgia Department of Natural resources (GDNR) and Georgia Department of Safety and Transportation (GDOT).
GEPD continues to provide oversight with technical support provided by EPA.
ONSCENE PERSONNEL:
INCIDENT COMMAND
GCFD (1)
GDOT (1)
GEPD (1)
EPA (1)
COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF
GCEMA (4)
GEPD (1)
GDNR (1)
TSU RP (1)
FIELD OPERATIONS
GCFD Hazmat(6)
MEI(11)
Law Enforcement (2)
START (2)
Pump and haul operations are planned to continue until pH reading at tributary are at/below 9 pH. Operations are anticipated to continue through the end of the week.
The RP has engaged the necessary resources to mitigate the release. GEPD is providing oversight of the cleanup but has requested technical assistance from EPA.
Unified Command is in place and will continue under a 24 operational period until further notice.
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