During the week of September 21st, site oversight transitioned from an emergency response to a time-critical removal. The KM Ventures facility previously operated as Yorkshire America, a textile dye manufacturer. To that end, EPA discovered hundreds of drums of dye and dye intermediates in various conditions as well as several above ground storage tanks which contained residual caustic and acids. The facility is located on a 42-acre tract with 14 acres fenced around the plant. The facility is also bordered on the southeast by the Catawba River.
Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
During the Site Assessment KM Venture claimed that all material located on site has been determined to be "Product". However, they acknowledge that some of the material has been compromised or has degraded to the point that it will need to be disposed of as "Waste". According to KM Ventures, all chemicals/oils on site has been sold to Jay-Chem, a company located in India for $100. After assessing the site, EPA met with NC DENR, KM Ventures and their legal representative (K&L/Gates). It was determined that the site warrants a Emergency Response Action. KM Ventures was directed by EPA to "Stabilize The Site".
During the week of September 21st, site oversight transitioned from an emergency response to a time-critical removal. OSC Perry Gaughan assumed site oversight responsibilities and continued working with Regional Counsel on an Administrative Order for the rp.
KM Ventures continued hazardous categorization of unknown drums and totes into respective waste streams. Clean up efforts included the successful cleaning out of Buildings 8 and 9 which primarily involved moving unknown drums to Building 3 for characterization and further debris removal from each individual building. A 10,000 gallon sulfuric acid tank associated with the Waste Water Treatment Plant was also inspected and discovered to contain approximately 2,500 gallons of sulfuric. The RP is currently determining proper disposal of this acid.
Usable product drums and chemicals such as dye powder, bagged potash and other usable product was shipped to local vendors near Greenville, South Carolina under EPA's oversight. The RP continues to make excellent progress in determining which materials on site can be sold as product and characterizing the remainder of materials into proper waste streams for future bulking and disposal.
Stormwater from the site has been collecting in a 200,000 gallon equalization tank which is the initial tank of the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). KMV had made previous arrangements for sampling the tank and three levels and those results were forwarded to NC DENRs Water Quality Dept for approval to discharge to the Catawba River. Recent heavy rains necessitated the approval for discharge and NC DENR approved the discharge and continues to maintain supervion of all discharges from the WWTP. Gradual discharge of this stored stormwater began on Monday, Sept 21st and is anticipated to take four days with continuous monitoring of pH. PH changes during discharge will require pH adjustment treatment.
KM Ventures will continue the clean up effort under the following Scope of Work:
1. Overpack/Stage all drums contianing hazardous substances or oils that have holes in the containers inside.
2. Segregate/Isolate Unknowns, construct a staging area for unknowns w/secondary containment and position drums based on compatibility.
3. Lab-Packs should be inventoried and packed based on compatibility.
4. Bulk tanks should be inspected, bulk storage containers containing hazardous substance/oils that are in poor condition (faulty valves, etc.) should be off-loaded into stable containers until proper transport can be arranged for off-site use or disposal.
5. Identify and Inventory All Containers On Site.
6. Properly characterize, transport and dispose of waste in accordance with all federal and state laws.
7. EPA has requested that KM Ventures provide a Daily Activity Report to EPA and DENR until the site has been stabilized which at that point a Weekly Activity Report would be provided.
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