On the afternoon of May 8,
EPA transitioned out of the emergency stabilization phase. Ongoing monitoring
and longer term cleanup will be led by the State of Arkansas and State of Oklahoma, in coordination with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Responsible
Party.
EPA’s and FWS’s evaluation of the nature and extent of
the spill confirmed that the spill did not impact the Poteau River. The
responsible party estimates 77,877 gallons of aluminum sulfate were released offsite, and
2,9000 gallons of sulfuric acid released from the tank but was contained within
the facility.
The main impact to water
quality was increased acidity. The impacted areas of the creek were treated
with lime, which has a high or basic pH, to adjust and neutralize the pH of the
creek. Pumps were installed in the creek to increase circulation of impacted
material to bring it into contact with the lime. EPA does not anticipate
long-term impacts to water quality from the pH adjustment. State and local
authorities will lead the assessment of potential long-term impacts to wildlife
and soils and sediments within the creek.
Background:
On May 2, 2026, EPA was notified by the National Response
Center (NRC) that a tank at the C&S Chemicals facility in Fort Smith, AR,
released approximately 100,000 gallons of acidified aluminum sulfate.
Additional reporting from the NRC on May 3, 2026, indicated the volume released
offsite was 77,877 gallons of acidified aluminum sulfate, with 2,900 gallons of
sulfuric acid released but contained onsite. The responsible party reported the
tank ruptured due to an unknown cause. The acidified aluminum sulfate material
flowed into a nearby creek draining to the west, impacting fish and wildlife.
The creek flows west across the state line into Oklahoma, then north into the
Poteau River, which flows into the Arkansas River.
On the morning of May 4,
2026, EPA deployed to the site and is working with federal and state partners.
The US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), the Arkansas Department of Energy
and Environment (ADEE), the Choctaw Nation and the Oklahoma Department of
Environmental Quality (ODEQ) are also onsite.
EPA conducted community
air monitoring for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). No exceedances for
community air monitoring standards were found. EPA is onsite and will
provide updates as needed.
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