U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
US Oil Recovery - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region VI
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Subject:
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POLREP #9
FINAL - Incident 2
US Oil Recovery
A6X7
Pasadena, TX
Latitude: 29.7177400 Longitude: -95.2210530
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To:
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From:
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Adam Adams, OSC
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Date:
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9/30/2011
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Reporting Period:
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06/01/2011 - 09/30/2011
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
A6X7 |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
3/24/2011 |
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Response Authority: |
CERCLA |
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Response Type: |
Emergency |
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Response Lead: |
EPA |
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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: |
11/8/2010 |
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Start Date: |
11/8/2010 |
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Demob Date: |
9/30/2011 |
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Completion Date: |
9/30/2011 |
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CERCLIS ID: |
TXN000607093, TXR000051540, TXR000079409 |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
946255, 946854, 959001 |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response/Emergency Removal Action
1.1.2 Site Description
US Oil Recovery is located on approximately 13 acres of land just north of the City of Pasadena, Texas north of Texas Highway 225. US Oil Recovery performed municipal and industrial wastewater pretreatment of Class I and Class II wastewater, characteristically hazardous waste, used oil and oily sludges, and municipal solid waste.
1.1.2.1 Location
US Oil Recovery is located at 400 N. Richey and 200 N. Richey, Pasadena, Harris County, Texas 77506.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Separate incident from the response conducted in July 2010. HCPCS (formerly HCPHES) notified the National Response Center (NRC Report No.959001) to report a release of waste water from an unknown source at the facility. Drainage is primarily to the north and to the west, both directly flowing into Vince Bayou, approximately 100 feet from the property line. NRC notifed the EPA. Upon notification an EPA OSC and START-3 mobilized to the site to conduct a Tier 1 response on 08 November 2010.
Materials at the facility include solids, liquids, and sludges with hazardous characteristics that include flammables and corrosives. Assessment sampling from the July incident also indicated acetone, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene in some of the facility containments. The north and south tank farm secondary containments and several sumps and bays at the facility have historically overflowed directly into the parking lot, which overflows directly into Vince Bayou.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Due to heavy rains in the area, available freeboard located in the containment areas had become compromised and the contents were overflowing into the parking lot. Initial assessment included the north and south tank farm secondary containment areas, sumps, bays, and a retention pond. Some characteristically hazardous drums and totes in the warehouse were leaking contents, thereby creating an additional safety concern to public health and the environment.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
US Oil Recovery opened for business in May 2002 in Pasadena, Texas to handle used oil. In its proprietary plant, US Oil Recovery performed municipal and industrial wastewater pretreatment of Class I and Class II wastewater, characteristically hazardous waste, used oil and oily sludges, and municipal solid waste. The facility is located on approximately 13 acres located north of the City of Pasadena at 400 N. Richey. Both properties that comprise this Site were abandoned prior to 01 July 2010, with hazardous wastes and hazardous substances unsecured and posing a threat to public health and the environment.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
Actions taken prior to 01 June 2011 are documented in detail on previously submitted POLREPs.
During this operational period the EPA and their contractors continued site stabilization actions at the US Oil Recovery (USOR) and MCC Recycling properties located in Pasadena, TX. On 01 June 2011, START-3 documented sampling activities conducted by the PRP Group and their contractor, Clean Harbors. Activities at the Site concluded on 02 June 2011 where two samples were collected from roll-off containers (RO-100 and RO-135). The site visit on 02 June 2011 also consisted of a site walk around the USOR property to check the secondary containment levels.
On 28 July 2011, START-3 conducted a site visit to the USOR property to perform a visual inspection of available freeboard in the secondary containment areas in preparation for a tropical storm that was potentially threatening the upper Texas coast. START-3 conducted photographic documentation of these areas and concluded that approximately 18 inches of freeboard was available in the secondary containment areas for both the north and south tank farms. Additionally, both truck bays had an adequate amount of freeboard available in the event of a tropical storm in the vicinity. Upon completion of documentation activities, the site was secured.
On 29 August 2011, START-3 conducted a site visit to the USOR property. During the visit it was noted that a connex box previously documented as located in the main process area of the warehouse had been removed from the property. Photo documentation was conducted of the area and OSC Adams was briefed on the situation. Upon departing the facility, the site was secured.
On 03 September 2011, START-3 and OSC Warren Zehner conducted a site visit to USOR and MCC at the request of OSC Adams. The main gate at both properties was secured and the fence surrounding each property appeared intact. No further evidence of possible trespass on the properties was noted at the time of the site visit. Photo documentation was conducted at USOR of the main process building where the connex box had been located and of the secondary containments. START-3 briefed OSC Adams on site conditions. Upon completion of documentation activities, the properties were secured.
On 05 September 2011, START-3 conducted a follow up site visit to USOR and MCC. Upon completion of the site walk, it was noted that site status at each property remained the same. Upon departure, the properties were secured.
On 19 September 2011, START-3 and EPA conducted a final site visit to USOR to perform a visual inspection of the site and secondary containments. The secondary containments were documented as having adequate available freeboard. No issues were noted within the warehouse, including the container staging area, and the contents in the roll-off boxes remained secured from the elements. Upon completion of the visual inspection, the property was secured.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The Potential Responsible Party at this time is US Oil Recovery, LLC.
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
No additional EPA Lead emergency response or stabilization actions are anticipated at the time of this report.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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No information available at this time.
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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
No incidents or injuries occurred during or prior to this operational period on this response.
2.6 Liaison Officer
2.7 Information Officer
Additional information can be obtained at www.epaosc.org/usoilrecovery-pasadena.
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
Harris County Pollution Control Services (PCS).
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4. Personnel On Site
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Personnel on-site as needed include EPA, START-3 contractors, and ERRS contractors.
Additional personnel on-site at their discretion are representatives from TCEQ and PCS.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
Additional information can be obtained at www.epaosc.org/usoilrecovery-pasadena.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
No further POLREPs will be provided for the EPA response conducted at the US Oil Recovery Site located at the USOR (400 N. Richey Street) and MCC (200 N. Richey Street) properties between 07/01/2010 and 09/30/2011. This final POLREP along with previously submitted POLREPs will serve to address all incidents that were responded to during this period. A final EPA Emergency Response and Stabilization Report will be completed for a more detailed report of actions taken.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Additional information can be obtained at www.epaosc.org/usoilrecovery-pasadena.
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