1.1.1 Incident Category

 Emergency Response to a sulfuric acid spill
1.1.2 Site Description
The Site is the location of a 98% Sulfuric Acid release at Santee Cooper Cross Generation Power Facility. Sulfuric Acid has impacted soil and concrete pads outside of secondary containment and an unknown amount has discharged to a nearby coal ash pond which discharges to the Santee Cooper Channel.
1.1.2.1 Location
The Site is located at 553 Cross Station Road, Pineville, Berkley County, South Carolina 29468, in a rural area. The Site is bordered by Lake Moultrie to the east, wood areas and Lake Marion to the west, forested areas to the north and the Santee Cooper Channel to the South.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
An unknown amount of sulfuric acid was released to soil outside of secondary containment and subsequently discharged to a coal ash pond which discharges to the Santee Cooper Channel.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results

On November 13, 2015 at 0846 hours, Santee Cooper Cross Generation Power Facility reported a release of 6,500 gallons of Sulfuric Acid from an above ground storage tank (AST) due to a mechanical failure. The facility is located at 553 Cross Station Road, Pineville, Berkley County, South Carolina 29468. Due to a ruptured water supply line, secondary containment overflowed, and an unknown amount of sulfuric acid impacted nearby soil and concrete pads outside of secondary containment. An additional unknown amount of sulfuric acid and water were pumped into an outfall leading to a nearby coal ash pond to prevent possible impacts to nearby above ground storage tanks and other equipment within the power generation facility. The coal ash pond discharges to the Santee Cooper Channel which joins Lake Moultrie to Lake Marion.

2.1.1 Narrative
In the evening of November 13th, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) responded to the scene of a Sulfuric Acid release at Santee Cooper Cross Generation Power Facility to provide oversite. OSC Englert and START were deployed to assist SCDHEC and provide oversight as necessary. OSC Englert met with Santee Cooper Environmental Compliance Staff and Management to see the spill area and discuss ongoing cleanup efforts. Environmental Contractors working for Santee Cooper neutralized impacted soil and spillage onto concrete pads with limestone (CaCO3) and soda ash (Na2CO3) which will be staged for characterization and disposal at a later date. Crews are making plans to neutralize the material remaining in secondary containment and determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure. EPA and START performed water quality sampling at the influent and effluent of the impacted coal ash pond. All water quality parameters were within expected ranges; pH readings in influent and effluent sample locations were 7.6 and 7.1 respectively indicating that the coal ash pond had effectively buffered any Sulfuric Acid discharged into it. SCDHEC, EPA and START demobilized on November 13th.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
SCDHEC, EPA and START mobilized to the Site

EPA and START have taken water quality samples

SCDHEC, EPA and START have demobilized
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
Enforcement activities have been initiated and are ongoing. The spill occurred at Santee Cooper Cross Generating Facility located 553 Cross Station Road, Pineville, Berkley County, South Carolina 29468. The facility is owned by Santee Cooper who has been identified as the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP).
2.1.4 Progress Metrics

2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
No further activities are anticipated
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
No further response activities are planned
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA response activities are complete
2.2.2 Issues

No issues encountered

Santee Cooper Management, Environmental Staff and facility staff

One EPA OSC

Two START Contractors