On 07/01, KDEP discovered a milky white material in a farm pond discharging into an unnnamed tributary to Lawrence Creek. Further investigation identified the discharge was coming from a manhole in the Maysville No. 2 Industrial Park. The manhole was found to be subject to infiltration of the unknown liquid through the subsurface, possibly connected to an underground spring. (The discharge is not sewage, as the manhole is in an undeveloped location of the industrial park, and is not connected to any service lines). The discharge was contained at the manhole on 07/01. However, the milky white substance was observed to be in the surface water system for a distance of about 0.75 miles downstream of the farm pond.
On 07/02, KDEP identified a nearby manufacturing facility upgradient of the manhole location as a possible source of the discharge. An inspection of the facility revealed a water soluble metalworking fluid used in the process that is milky white in color when mixed with water. The suspected source is a coolant transfer tank located at the facility. No leak testing has been conducted on this tank, but facility contacts report that approximately 800-1000 gallons of water is added daily. A product known as Ecocool 506 is added to keep the coolant concentration within range for machining purposes. Literature for this product includes a description of a "stable, milky-white, long-life emulsion when mixed with water." KDEP considers the material to be similar to the discharge accumulating in the manhole located about 500 yds. away, based on visual observations made on both 07/01 and 07/02. Samples were collected by KDEP on both dates and sent offsite for laboratory analysis.
On 07/03, OSC Smith inspected the collection site at MH 2657 in Maysville Industrial Park No.2 and the suspected source. Photos were taken at each location, and OSC Smith collected a sample from both locations for qualitative analysis in the field. This involved evaluating for the presence of oil, headspace analysis inside the sample jars using a Multi-RAE photoionization detector, and pH paper. The summary is as follows:
-Sample No. 1 (facility transfer tank) exhibited a distinct oil layer, maximum reading of 1.6 v.o.c. units, and pH of about 9.
-Sample No. 2 (manhole collection point) no layering or presence of an oil layer was detected, maximum reading of 0.3 v.o.c. units, and pH of about 8.
With respect to a possible match, the OSC considers that these field tests are inconclusive, based on the results.
OSC Smith demobilized the site on 07/03 at about 1630 hrs.
On 07/07, samples collected by KDEP and sent offsite for laboratory analysis were reported as exhibiting a positive match for a glycol compound in the metalworking fluid and the discharge contained in the manhole. On 07/07, Emerson Power Transmission accepted responsibility for the continuing response to this spill.
KDEP will oversee the continuing investigation into the source of the spill.
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