U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Alcoa Oil Spill - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Initial POLREP
Alcoa Oil Spill
Lafayette, IN
Latitude: 40.4033776 Longitude: -86.8613812
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To:
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From:
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Shelly Lam, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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1/15/2011
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Reporting Period:
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January 14 - 15, 2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
OPA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
PRP |
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Incident Category: |
Removal Action |
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NPL Status: |
Non NPL |
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
1/14/2011 |
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Start Date: |
1/14/2011 |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
E11507 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Active production facility - oil spill
1.1.2 Site Description
1.1.2.1 Location
Alcoa is a producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum, and alumina located at 3131 Main Street in Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. Site coordinates are 40.4033776 north latitude and 86.8613812 west longitude. The Site is a 172-acre facility located in an industrial and commercial area in Lafayette.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
On January 14, 2011, Alcoa reported to the National Response Center (NRC # 964751) a discharge of approximately 1,600 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.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
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. Two additional downstream locations were checked but oil was not observed at either location.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
The Alcoa facility reported a spill of approximately 1,600 gallons of oily press water on January 14, 2011. 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. EPA and IDEM observed oil flowing from the outfall into Elliott Ditch. The oil was emulsified and appeared milky white in color.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Immediate response actions by Alcoa included recovery of oily press water from on-site storm sewers and at the outfall on Elliott Ditch. Press water was recovered using vacuum trucks.
As of 1600 hours on January 15, 2011, Alcoa contractors have set up the following two recovery points:
- at the outfall into Elliot Ditch on Brady Court; and
- where the 18th Street bridge crosses Elliot Ditch
At 1700 hours, EPA conducted a meeting with Alcoa. Alcoa stated that throughout the day, it had collected 24 vacuum truckloads (estimated 50,000 gallons) of oil/water mixture. The oil/water mixture that is being collected by the vacuum tankers is being off-loaded into on-site holding tanks until it can be treated on-site in Alcoa's wastewater treatment system.
EPA expressed concern that residential properties that are located along the southern border of Elliot Ditch which have private drinking water wells, may be impacted by the Alcoa release. The Tippecanoe County Health Department identified approximately 20 residential properties along Elliot Ditch that use private wells as their main drinking water source. EPA requested Alcoa to conduct residential well sampling at those properties. Alcoa agreed to obtain access agreements from the properties and to collect initial drinking water samples beginning on Sunday, January 16, 2011. Alcoa also agreed to collect samples from the properties on a monthly basis for the next calendar year. The residential water samples will be analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs), oil/grease and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Alcoa will report the sample results to EPA and the Tippecanoe County Health Department for review, and will then provide verbal communication and a sample result letter to each of the residential properties sampled. In addition, as a precaution, Alcoa is providing bottled drinking water to the residences until the first round of sampling results are received.
At 1800 hours, representatives from EPA, Tippecanoe EMA, Tippecanoe Health Department and Alcoa went door to door to communicate the opportunity for sampling at approximately 20 residential properties along Elliot Ditch and the availability of bottled drinking water.
At 2030 hours, EPA conducted a media briefing to describe the oil spill and the response actions to date. Alcoa issued a press release prior to the EPA media briefing.
Response actions by EPA included collection of four samples for fingerprinting analysis. Alcoa expressed concerns that other industries could be contributing to the discharge into Elliott Ditch. Samples were collected from a storm sewer on-site (Outfall 001), at the Elliott Ditch outfall, upstream on Elliott Ditch, and downstream on Elliott Ditch. In addition, EPA conducted oversight of response operations and conducted monitoring of downstream locations to assess migration potential.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
On January 14, 2011, OSC Lam issued a Notice of Federal Interest to Alcoa representatives. Alcoa agreed to take voluntary action to contain the spill.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Oil/water mixture |
Liquid |
24 vacuum trucks (estimated 50,000 gallons) |
Not applicable (NA) |
Returned to on-site treatment system |
NA |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
1. Alcoa to continue vacuum truck recovery efforts at two locations on Elliot Ditch.
2. Alcoa to begin residential well water sampling beginning on January 16, 2011.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
1. Alcoa to use vacuum trucks to recover the oil press water mixture on Elliot Ditch.
2. Alcoa to collect residential well water samples beginning on January 16, 2011 and continue on a monthly basis for the next calendar year.
3. Alcoa to provide bottled water to residents until sample results received and shared with residents.
4. Alcoa to treat the oil/water mixture collected in the vacuum trucks in the on-site Alcoa treatment system.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
See above.
2.2.2 Issues
None.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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NA
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
OSC Lam is acting as overall safety officer for the response. In addition, environmental safety and health representatives from Alcoa are on-site.
2.6 Liaison Officer
NA
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
NA
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
U.S. EPA Community Involvement Coordinator Don DeBlasio is on-site and assisting Alcoa obtain access for the residential water sampling.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
NA
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
IDEM
Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency
Tippecanoe County Health Department
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4. Personnel On Site
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2 EPA OSCs
1 IDEM OSC
6 START members
4 Alcoa personnel
10 Alcoa contractors
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5. Definition of Terms
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| EPA |
Environmental Protection Agency |
| IDEM |
Indiana Department of Environmental Management |
| NA |
Not applicable |
| NRC |
National Response Center |
| OSC |
On-Scene Coordinator |
| PRP |
Potentially Responsible Party |
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
For additional information, refer to www.epaosc.org/alcoaoilspill.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NA
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