At approximately 1400 hours on April 16, 2017, a wire manufacturing facility discovered a large oil spill resulting from a lubrication oil circulating pump failure. The facility reported a loss of 10,000 gallons of lubrication to the Cotton Mill Branch, a small stream with a low flow rate. On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Eichinger was mobilized from Atlanta. The facility contacted an Oil Spill Response Organization (OSRO) and initiated response activities, which included construction an earthen berm upstream and downstream of the spill. The material is contained in about a 1200 linear foot stretch of the creek. Material is 30-45% Hydo-treated Heavy Naphthenic Petroleum Distillates which is water soluble so underflow dams are not effective. The facility’s environmental contractors have mobilized multiple vacuum trucks/tankers and storage tank and crews are currently vacuuming out the material to the storage tanks. Rain is forecasted. The City of Fayetteville’s drinking water intake is on the Elk River upstream of where Cotton Mill Branch intersects with it. Telephone Duty made downstream notifications to Tennessee Department of Environmental Control (TDEC) upon mobilization of OSC Eichinger. Upstream and downstream water sampling will start on April 17 ,2017.
