On January 14, 2011, Alcoa reported a discharge of approximately 1600 gallons of oily press water from their facility in Lafayette, Indiana. The discharge was due to a pipe failure and hose malfunction. Oil/water mixture discharged to the storm sewer and then flowed for approximately one mile to an outfall on Elliott Ditch. Elliott Ditch is a perennial stream that discharges into Wea Creek before flowing to the Wabash River.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) Shelly Lam and Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) OSC Greg Carter responded to the spill on January 14th. Both OSCs observed oil flowing from the outfall into Elliott Ditch.
EPA is directing Alcoa to contain the spill and recover oil. Response actions have included recovery of oil/water on-site and at the outfall on Elliott Ditch; collection of samples for foresenc oil analysis; monitoring of downstream locations for potential migration of oil; and conducting residential well sampling at properties adjacent to to Elliot Ditch which on are private drinking water wells.
