U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Alcoa Oil Spill - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #5
Progress 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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1/19/2011
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Reporting Period:
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January 19, 2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5K9 |
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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
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. Oil flowed approximately one mile downstream to the 18th Street Bridge, where it has been contained and recovered.
Twenty-two residences on private drinking water wells were identified within 200 feet of the impacted section of the ditch. The residents were notified of the spill and were provided temporary drinking water by Alcoa. Samples were collected from 21 residential wells.
Prior ecological assessments conducted by the EPA identified six endangered species in Elliott Ditch and Wea Creek. These species include the fanshell, ring pink, rough pigtoe, pyramid pigtoe, rabbitsfoot, and bluebreast darter. EPA has notified the State Trustee and Department of the Interior.
Alcoa entered into a Consent Decree in 2002 with the EPA regarding historical releases of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). The consent decree required investigations of Elliott Ditch and Wea Creek. PCBs were detected in surface water, sediment, and fish tissue samples. The presence of elevated levels of PCBs in fish tissues prompted a Fish Advisory for these waterways.
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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
During this operational period, the following activities were conducted:
- Completed recovery operations;
- Provided analytical results to residents;
- Demobilized personnel; and
- Referred future oversight of residential well sampling to IDEM's Office of Water Quality, Drinking Water Branch.
Residential well sample results from 15 properties were available. All analytes were below detection limits. EPA is reviewing Alcoa's sampling and analysis plan for the creek.
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 and conduct cleanup. Alcoa entered into a Consent Decree in 2002 with EPA to conduct investigations along Elliott Ditch and Wea Creek related to historical PCB releases.
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Waste Stream |
Medium |
Quantity |
Manifest # |
Treatment |
Disposal |
| Oil/water mixture |
Liquid |
174,500 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
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Within two weeks, Alcoa will conduct confirmation sampling of surface water and sediment on Elliott Ditch. Additionally, EPA will host a meeting with the residents on Saturday, January 22nd.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
Residential well sampling oversight has been referred to IDEM's Office of Water Quality, Drinking Water Branch.
2.2.2 Issues
Alcoa had previously entered into a Consent Decree with EPA regarding historical releases of PCBs to Elliott Ditch. Additionally, endangered species were previously identified in Elliott Ditch and the downstream Wea Creek.
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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 at each recovery location.
2.6 Liaison Officer
NA
2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
On January 15, 2011, OSC Thomas and the Tippecanoe Health Department conducted a media availability session. OSC Lam and CIC Dave Novak provided a phone interview to the Lafayette Journal & Courier on January 17th, and provided an update to the paper on January 18th and 19th. Links to related articles are posted at www.epaosc.org/alcoaoilspill.
2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
EPA Community Involvement Coordinator (CIC) Dave Novak is on-site. EPA discussed results with residents individually and will conduct a group meeting for affected residents.
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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
Department of Interior
IDEM
Indiana Department of Natural Resources
Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency
Tippecanoe County Health Department
U.S. Fish & Wildlife
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4. Personnel On Site
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1 EPA OSC
1 EPA CIC
1 EPA ERT
4 Alcoa personnel
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5. Definition of Terms
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ATSDR
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Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
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CIC
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Community Involvement Coordinator
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EPA
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Environmental Protection Agency
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IDEM
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Indiana Department of Environmental Management
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MCL
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Maximum Contaminant Level
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NA
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Not applicable
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NRC
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National Response Center
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OSC
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On-Scene Coordinator
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PCB
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Polychlorinated Biphenyls
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PRP
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Potentially Responsible Party
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START
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Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team
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SVOC
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Semivolatile Organic Compounds
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VOC
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Volatile Organic Compounds
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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
The next POLREP will be submitted once confirmation sampling is complete.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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NA
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