Pollution/Situation Report Profile

Charlotte Sewer Dumping
Charlotte, NC - EPA Region IV
POLREP #1
Initial / Final

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U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
Charlotte Sewer Dumping - Removal Polrep
Initial and Final Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region IV

Subject:

POLREP #1
Initial / Final
Charlotte Sewer Dumping

Charlotte, NC
Latitude: 35.3398662 Longitude: -80.7037516

To:

From:

Jordan Garrard, FOSC

Date:

2/9/2014

Reporting Period:

1. Introduction

1.1 Background

Site Number:	B4S2	Contract Number:
D.O. Number:		Action Memo Date:
Response Authority:	CERCLA	Response Type:	Emergency
Response Lead:	PRP	Incident Category:	Removal Assessment
NPL Status:	Non NPL	Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:	2/7/2014	Start Date:	2/7/2014
Demob Date:	2/8/2014	Completion Date:
CERCLIS ID:		RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:		State Notification:
FPN#:		Reimbursable Account #:

1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency

1.1.2 Site Description
A Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities District (CMUD) Mallard Creek Waste Water treatment plant was impacted with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contaminated sludge. The sludge caused the plant to cease operations. Charlotte Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was able to identify the source of the contamination. The source is a grease trap associated with a Food Lion grocery store.

1.1.2.1 Location
The Mallard Creek Waste Water Treatment plant is located at 12400 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC. The Food Lion is located at 6430 West Sugar Creek Rd, Charlotte, NC.

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
The Mallard Creek Waste Water Treatment plant detected PCB concentrations of 26 ppm and trichlorobenzene of 18,000 ppb.

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

A slug of sludge contaminated with PCBs and Trichlorobenzene was detected at the plant. The plant is on full shutdown and the incoming stream is being diverted to a holding pond. Initial sampling results indicated concentrations of trichlorobenzene, PCB along with other contaminants. Charlotte Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team along with the Utilities crews traced the line back and found the suspected source at 6430 W Sugar Creek Rd. This is a Food Lion with a grease trap at the back of the store. Initial observations indicate a dump of contaminated materials into the line at this point.

2. Current Activities

2.1 Operations Section

2.1.1 Narrative

The City of Charlotte requested EPA technical assistance on scene at the Mallard Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant, address is 12400 North Tryon Street. A slug of contaminated sludge was detected at the plant. The plant is on full shutdown and the incoming stream was diverted to a holding pond. Initial sampling results indicated concentrations of trichlorobenzene, PCB along with other contaminants. Charlotte Fire Department CFD) hazardous materials team along with the Utilities crews traced the line back and found the suspected source at 6430 W Sugar Creek Rd. This is a Food Lion with a grease trap at the back of the store. Initial observations indicate a dump of contaminated materials into the line at this point.

At noon of February 6th, 2014 an unusual substance was observed at waste water treatment plant. Initial samples collected for analysis. By 12:30 pm waste water coming into the plant diverted to equalization basin and Charlotte Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team was contacted. Over 5,000,000 gallons of waste water was diverted into a equalization basin. By 13:30 Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities District (CMUD) and CFD started searching for the source of substance in sewer system. CMUD hired CERT to conduct remediation activities at Mallard Creek Waste Water Treatment Plant. Approximately 1,500 gallons of material was recovered off the equalization basin. At approximately 8:20 pm CMUD and CFD located point where substance entered the sewer system. The source was a grease trap located at a Food Lion grocery store. Initial concentrations of influent samples contained concentrations of 26 ppm PCBs and 18,000 ppb trichlorobenzene. CMUD continued to sampled multiple locations throughout the plant, influent, effluent, and Mallard Creek throughout February 6th, 7th, and 8th.

The waste water plant resume operations at 0500 on February 7th. Activated carbon was added to aeration basin within the waste water treatment plant to treat the remaining concentrations of PCBs and trichlorobenzene. Shortly after resuming water treatment operations, PCBs concentrations in the effluent were below 2 ppb based on analytical results. On the morning of February 7th, OSC Garrard met with representatives from Food Lion. Food Lion had hired Hepaco to conduct remediation activities of the grease trap and sewer line leading to the CMUD main sanitary sewer line. The grease trap contained PCB concentrations over 162 ppm and trichlorobenzene concentrations over 78 ppm. OSC Garrard demobilized on February 8th, after meeting with CMUD officials and reviewing analytical data collected from Feb 6th and 7th. Further remediation and disposal activities will be coordinated with EPA Region 4 PCB Coordination and Cleanup personnel.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
See above

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities District
Food Lion

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

*Waste Stream*	*Medium*	*Quantity*	*Manifest #*	*Treatment*	*Disposal*

2.2 Planning Section

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Disposal of PCB contaminated materials will be coordinated with EPA Region 4 PCB Coordination / Cleanups - Ken Feely

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities

2.2.1.2 Next Steps

2.2.2 Issues

2.3 Logistics Section