On August 31, 2012 a sheen was reported in Turkey Brook, in an area which is located between two manufacturing facilities. To the east of Turkey Brook is Quality Automatics and to the west is Rintec Corporation. The sheen was reported to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP). The CTDEEP sent a responder to the scene to gather more information and investigate the potential source of the spill. Upon arrival at the scene, the CTDEEP deployed absorbent boom to mitigate further impact from the spill. The CTDEEP responder and the CTDEEP Site Assessment and Support Unit performed a subsurface investigation to determine the source of the oil released. They were able to confirm that the oil released was coming from oil floating on top of the groundwater which was migrating from underneath the building occupied by Quality Automatics at 20 McLennan Drive, making the operator of this facility the Potentially Responsible Party (PRP). Following the subsurface investigation, CTDEEP met with the owner of the business and toured the facility to observe operations. While observing the operations at the facility, a 55 gallon drum was knocked over by an employee. The employees promptly cleaned up the spill by sweeping the oil into a corner of the building then proceeded to apply speedi-dry. The CTDEEP representative expressed concern regarding their clean up procedures and investigated the area where the oil and oily debris was stored. The CTDEEP representative noticed a gap between the floor and the wall which would provide a pathway for the oil to migrate into the soil and onto the groundwater. It was determined that this clean up procedure had been in place for a length of time and that the amount of oil that had been released over time was unknown. In addition to the questionable clean up procedures, the operations and oil storage in the area appeared to be contributing to the problem via a cracked oil hose that was leaking product onto the floor in this same area. The owner of Quality Automatics assumed responsibility for the release and agreed to implement clean up and remediation actions with CTDEEP providing agency oversight.

On October 9, 2012, the PRP contacted the CTDEEP, notifying them that they were financial unable to continue clean up actions at the site. CTDEEP reported to the site, noticed a visible sheen on the water, and called the National Response Center to report the incident. CTDEEP assumed control of the response and proceeded with boom deployment and associated clean up actions. Clean up actions consisted of continual replacement of absorbent boom in three locations on Turkey Brook and the installation of an oil recovery system. The oil recovery system includes two wells with an oil sensor and a pump which pumps oil off of the surface of the groundwater when the sensor is triggered. This system collected approximately 250 gallons of oil which is currently being stored in a secure location on site in 55 gallon drums.

On July 25, 2013, CTDEEP requested assistance from the US EPA with the source removal actions currently on going at the site. After obtaining signed access agreements from the tenant and the property owner, US EPA and CTDEEP performed a site walk on August 21, 2013. The EPA On Scene Coordinator (OSC) observed a sheen on the water that was being contained by two layers of absorbent boom. The absorbent boom in two of the three deployment areas was completely saturated and potentially contributing to the current sheen. The water level of Turkey Brook was observed to be low, providing a conduit for additional oil to be released from the banks of the brook. The CTDEEP and EPA met with the tenant and property owner where they provided verbal confirmation to have EPA assume responsibility of the clean up actions due to a lack of funds and resources from both the PRP and the CTDEEP. On August 22, 2013, the OSC initiated an emergency action to remediate the visible sheen on Turkey Brook and to prevent further oil from migrating and contaminating areas downstream from the site. On August 23, 2013 the tenant and the property owner signed the Notice of Federal Assumption of Responsibility (NOFAR) which allows EPA to conduct response activities as appropriate to mitigate the actual release and the threat of further release at the site.

• Mobilize appropriate personnel, equipment, expendable, utilities, and supplies.
• Remove oil contaminated absorbent boom from three locations on Turkey Brook.
• Replace oil contaminated absorbent boom with clean absorbent boom in the three locations. Use the already established anchor points on the bank of Turkey Brook.
• Remove any visible oil sheen from Turkey Brook using appropriate absorbent material.
• Store any oil or oily debris collected in material appropriate containers on site in a secure location.  Containers will be marked appropriately for material identification and disposal.
• Ensure that the drums containing oil that are currently being stored on site are secure and do not continue to pose a substantial threat of a discharge to Turkey Brook. Take appropriate steps to secure the drums, as deemed necessary.
• Demobilize all equipment, supplies and personnel as resources are no longer needed at the site.

 
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)

The owner of the property has been identified as a PRP as well as the tenant who owns Quality Automatics, which is currently operating at the site.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics