On January 18, 2008, at approximately 2130 hrs, OSC Spurlin was contacted by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) regarding a truck wreck near mm 179 on I-40 near Dickson, TN. At approximately 1930 hrs, a semi-truck carrying paper products ran off the interstate and wrecked directly into Nails creek which flows into Turnball creek. Diesel fuel from the truck saddle tanks and other truck related fluids spilled into the creek. The City of Dickson Water Authority utilizes Turnball creek as a drinking water source with the intake being located 1-1.5 miles downstream from the spill.
Due to the concern about the potential threat to the water intake, local fire crews placed absorbent boom in Nails creek and the water authority was notified of the discharge.
TDEC requested EPA respond to the scene to assist with spill cleanup because no representatives from the responsible party could be contacted. OSC Spurlin mobilzed with ERRS contractor, US Environmental Services, to assist with the cleanup. EPA arrived on-scene at 2330 hrs on January 18th. EPA, USES, and TDEC surveyed the creek. Additional boom was placed near the truck and EPA, USES ,and TDEC agreed to return to the site at 0600 the next day to continue efforts in daylight.
On January 19, EPA directed USES to place hard boom at two locations, install additional absorbent boom, and collect any oil that collects at the boom locations.
