On August 7, 2009, at approximately 1523 hours (EST), EPA ERRB was notified by news broadcasts that a tanker truck had intentionally released it contents into a storm drain at the QT Truck Stop located at 5705 Fulton Industrial Boulevard. According to witnesses present at the scene, the truck driver pulled into the parking lot and began releasing the entire contents of the tanker onto the parking lot asphalt and into a nearby storm water sewer. Before the release of the entire contents, several other truckers and bystanders approached the individual and the tanker. The driver sped away before a license plate number could be collected. However, photographs were taken of the rear of the truck and presented to authorities. Upon notification, OSC Carter Williamson was dispatched to the site and met with Fulton County Fire Dept., and Hazmat personnel, with the ERRS contractor, First Environmental, and START (TN&A) and GAEPD. OSC Williamson also met with other EPA staff at the site to investigate the alleged release. EPA, GAEPD, ERRS and START reconned the area to determine the extent of the spill, how much had been released and to collect samples of the material in question.
Fire and Hazmat constructed a temporary dam on an impacted tributary that led directly to the Chattahoochee River. Samples were collected at this tributary and a retention pond on the premises and analyzed for PH, fecal coliform, VOCs, SVOCs, oil and grease. Analytical results showed that the retention pond samples had low level hits for VOCs. None of the SVOCs were detected above the associated method detection limits. Oil and grease were detected at concentrations of 683 milligrams per liter, however, it could not determined that the tanker contributed to these levels as the retention pond serves as a catchment basin for a commercial gas station and truck stop. Fecal coliform was not detected and the PH level was 4.57. ERRS was directed by OSC Williamson and GAEPD staff to skim the retention pond to minimize freeboard in case a rain event moved the material into the unnamed tributary and into the Chattahoochee River.
The responsible party was identified during this response and subsequent newscasts/investigation and took measures to assume the clean-up of the material from the unnamed tributary and the retention pond. The material was identified as "cake mix". The RP assumed the contract with the ERRS contractor to complete the response action-up while GAEPD assumed leadership of the response and clean-up.
None
Potential CWA violations
Illegal dumping
(NOTE: Please refer to "Documents" section for FINAL REPORT from TN&A
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