U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
McCutchenville Gasolline Release - Removal Polrep
Final Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region V
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Subject:
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POLREP #3
Final POLREP
McCutchenville Gasolline Release
Z5MS
McCutchenville, OH
Latitude: 40.9940780 Longitude: -83.2571620
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To:
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Jason El-Zein, U.S. EPA
Mindy Clements, U.S. EPA
Carol Ropski, U.S. EPA
Mick Hans, U.S. EPA
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From:
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Jon Gulch, On-Scene Coordinator
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Date:
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2/20/2014
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Reporting Period:
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February 10- March 17, 2014
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
Z5MS |
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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: |
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: |
2/7/2014 |
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Start Date: |
2/7/2014 |
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Demob Date: |
2/21/2014 |
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Completion Date: |
3/17/2014 |
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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#: |
E14503 |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Emergency Response
1.1.2 Site Description
Gasoline station leaking fuel into a storm sewer system in McCutchenville, Ohio.
1.1.2.1 Location
Route 53 Service, LLC, 8910 State Route 53, McCutchenville, Seneca County, Ohio 44844
Latitude: 40.994078 Longitude: -83.257162
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Gasoline in a storm sewer and causing a sheen in Thorn Run Ditch, which is a tributary to the Sandusky River. Petroleum in sewer system is causing elevated readings of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in residential properties.
1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
Elevated levels of VOCs (benzene) in storm drains in residential properties, gasoline in monitoring wells and storm drains at the station, and a petroleum sheen in Thorn Run Ditch.
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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2.1.1 Narrative
On Wednesday, February 5, 2014, EPA was contacted by Ohio EPA (OEPA) regarding a release of gasoline from a Gasoline Service Station in McCutchenville, Seneca County, Ohio. The gasoline caused odors in thirty-four (34) residential properties that lead to self evacuations of residents. The local fire department performed air monitoring to assess VOCs in residential properties. OEPA oversaw flushing of the storm sewer system, which resulted in a lowering of VOC readings in the residential properties. Based on the lowered readings, all residents returned to their homes for the night.
On Thursday, February 6, 2014 at approximately 2330, seven (7) residents again reported gasoline odors in homes and self evacuated. The local fire department again performed air monitoring and contacted OEPA.
On Friday, February 7, 2014 at approximately 0500, OEPA asked for assistance from EPA to conduct air monitoring and assist with the responsible party (RP) investigation.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
February 10, 2014
Residential Indoor Air Monitoring & Groundwater Well Sampling
EPA continued indoor air screening of residential dwellings along State Route 53 (SR53) and County Road 58 (CR58) to determine the concentration of benzene, VOCs and lower explosive limit (LEL). For indoor air monitoring, the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) and local health departments established an acute exposure action level of 0.01 parts per million (ppm) for benzene.
EPA conducted oversight of investigative trenching along the northern perimeter and border of the site in an east/west orientation to identify potential migration pathways that could lead to the impacted off-site storm sewer system. Based on investigative trenching, EPA identified multiple clay/terra-cotta pipes with gasoline and gasoline impacted water within the sub-surface footprint of the gasoline station that continued north and north west beyond the border of the site and that were in close proximity to a plastic perforated drain pipe oriented in an east/west direction and associated with the park and former school grounds north of the site. The perforated drain pipe was determined to continue to an ‘end cap’ west of the site in addition to connecting to a lateral storm sewer drainage pipe that tied into an on-site storm sewer basin on the western portion of the site and a sewer plug was installed to prevent further groundwater flow from the perforated pipe. EPA continued to monitor air-bladders placed within catch basins along north and south side of County Road (CR) 47 to confirm no filtration of water down gradient along with contractor 24-hour vacuum truck operations. EPA conducted air-monitoring surveys at both residential and commercial locations impacted by the initial and secondary releases to document the absence or presence of benzene, VOC's and LEL in addition to perimeter air monitoring during excavation activities. EPA continued daily conference call meeting with local trustees, local health departments (Wyandot and Seneca), OEPA, Wyandot County public information officer (PIO) and ATSDR disseminating air monitoring data, present site conditions and projected scope of investigative work.
February 11, 2014
EPA conducted oversight of investigative trenching within eastern portion of the site near State Route (SR) 53 in a north/south direction immediately adjacent to the sites gasoline dispensers. Results of the trenching showed signs of historic contamination (weathered gas), gasoline impacted groundwater and former dispenser lines that had been severed A recovery well was installed within the southern portion of the trench. Jet rod activities were conducted within a storm sewer along SR 53 (eastern portion of site), the access point was within a catch basin located on the northeast portion of the site and progressed in a southerly direction until refusal at the southeast perimeter. EPA and OEPA correspond with the Ohio State Fire Marshall who will conduct long term remediation of the site thru the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations (BUSTR) program once the off site migration pathways have been identified and there is no longer a threat of an uncontrolled release. EPA continued to conduct air-monitoring surveys around the perimeter of the site during excavation activities and at surrounding residential and commercial locations to document the absence or presence of benzene, VOC's and LEL including an air monitoring survey inside the gasoline station convenience store in which VOC readings ranged from 9.8 ppm to 20 ppm in the breathing zone. EPA informed on site gas station owner/representative of inherent potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to elevated benzene and VOC readings. EPA continued to monitor air-bladders placed within catch basins along north and south side of County Road (CR) 47 along with 24-hour contractor vacuum truck operations. EPA continued daily conference call meeting with local trustees, local health departments (Wyandot and Seneca), OEPA, County PIO and ATSDR. Based upon conference call meeting, anticipated future scope of work (jet rod activities in storm sewer south of site along SR 53 within front yard easement of multiple residential properties) it was decided to release information pamphlets to the community and schedule a community meeting for February 12, 2014.
February 12, 2014
EPA continued to monitor air-bladders placed within catch basins along north and south side of County Road (CR) 47 along with 24 hour vacuum truck operations to confirm no exfiltration of water down gradient. EPA conducted oversight of backfill activities within northern investigative trench and along eastern investigative trench where a recovery well was installed, continued air monitoring surveys around perimeter of site, within residential homes and within gas station convenience store. EPA along with Ohio Fire Marshall identified an opening within the floor of the back room of the gas station convenience center that was contributing to elevated VOC readings. Investigative excavation activities near a storm sewer catch basin located within the western portion of the site had identified a drain tile oriented to the west and to the northeast (A total of 3 drain tiles identified to date) in alignment with the existing northeastern SR 53 storm sewer catch basin. EPA conducted oversight of hydro-excavation within southeastern perimeter of site in approximate location where jet rod activities ceased due to refusal. The investigation revealed two clay drainage tiles tied into a large concrete ‘block’ in proximity to an existing gas line connection. Observations noted with groundwater and storm water from within drainage tile excavation were of weathered gasoline, some sheen and low VOC readings. EPA continued daily conference call meeting with local trustees, local health departments (Wyandot and Seneca), OEPA, County PIO and ATSDR. At approximately 1900 hours EPA, McCutchenville Fire Chief, Ohio Fire Marshall, and OEPA representatives conducted a public hearing for local residents outlining present site conditions, anticipated scope of work, and contingency plans for reduction of gasoline vapors within residential and commercial properties during planned investigative activities.
February 13, 2014
EPA continued to conduct air monitoring surveys around perimeter of site, within residential homes and monitor air bladders installed along catch basins at CR 47, based on previous 24-hour vacuum truck activities and volume dewatered, it was determined that there would not be a necessity to continue these operations. McCutchenville fire department personnel would conduct periodic spot-checks and if necessary contact the gas station contractors. EPA conducted oversight of contractors investigating cement block and two clay drainage tiles that tied into block. Attempts to drill into cement block and excavate around block ceased after assessment of thickness of block and confirmation that the SR 53 storm sewer drainage line was not a viable migration pathway as previously thought. Jet rod activities subsequently focused on investigating a 12 inch drainage tile associated with the catch basin along CR 47 that was oriented in a northerly direction toward the site, jet rod activities were able to progress to refusal after approximately 459 feet, in the vicinity of a large cluster of trees and shrubs. EPA oversight of jet rod activities from the western on-site catch basin determined that a storm sewer drainage tile oriented to the northeast was connected to the catch basin along SR 53 within the northeast portion of the site and in close proximity to an on-site gasoline recovery well and multiple underground storage tanks (USTs). Sewer camera activities also identified another pipe that was oriented in a vertical position that tied into the drainage tile oriented to the northeast. Further jet rod activities at the on-site western storm sewer catch basin along with a meter to track the jet rod head determined that the drainage tile tied into the storm sewer line along CR 47 west of the impacted catch basin on the northern side of CR 47. EPA corresponded with Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) on-site representative in regards to cement plug identified within southeast perimeter investigative excavation. ODOT stated that the repair to the storm sewer along SR 53 would be completed in the Spring 2014.
February 14, 2014
EPA continued residential and site perimeter air monitoring. Due to cement block obstruction along SR 53 in the southeast perimeter of the site, jet rod activities subsequently focused on investigating a 12 inch drainage tile associated with the northern catch basin along CR 47 that was oriented in a northeastern direction toward the site, jet rod activities were able to progress to refusal after approximately 459 feet, in the vicinity of a large cluster of trees and shrubs. During jet rod activities, EPA conducted air monitoring for VOCs and benzene within the basement of a resident with a sump-pump that had previously exhibited the highest elevated readings of all residents. Sewer camera investigation within the same line identified five service connections tied into the line with four of them oriented to the east toward residential homes (previous investigations during air monitoring surveys by EPA revealed that some homes that exhibited elevated benzene, VOC's and LEL readings has sump pumps, were not tied into sanitary lines or septic lines and did not have water traps associated with the plumbing). Both jet rod and sewer camera investigations within the drain tile oriented to the west of the northern CR 47 catch basin were only able to proceed approximately 75 feet prior to refusal. Sewer camera video revealed an obstruction within the line that encompassed approximately 75% of the pipe diameter. EPA continued daily conference call meeting with local trustees, local health departments (Wyandot and Seneca), OEPA, County PIO and ATSDR and identified seven locations (six residential and one commercial) affected by the gasoline release and along the impacted storm sewer system to deploy summa canisters with 24 hour regulator to confirm the absence or presence of elevated VOCs. Conference call attendees agreed that the summa canisters will be deployed once migration pathways from the site have been identified and the impacted storm sewer system cleaned by jet rod activities. At approximately 1700 hours, RP contractors initiated an investigative excavation north of the cluster of trees believed to be the cause of the jet rod and sewer camera obstruction associated with the northeastern drain tile from the CR 47 catch basin. The investigative excavation revealed a clay drain tile that was in line with the catch basin on CR 47 and in line with the refusal point on the other side of the tree and shrub cluster. The excavation began to fill up with gasoline impacted water, high VOC readings were documented and a vacuum truck was deployed in attempt to dewater the excavation to further investigate potential drain tile connections toward the site. Due to deteriorating lighting conditions and lack of proper lighting the exposed drain tile was temporarily plugged and a vacuum truck and operators were dedicated for 24-hour operations to ensure containment within the operational area.
February 15, 2014
EPA conducted oversight of investigative trenching west of the site began during the evening of February 14, 2014 and confirmed an off-site migration pathway due to storm sewer drainage tiles that was identified with the investigative excavation in proximity to the sites western storm sewer catch basin (confluence of three drainage tiles). Contractors filled all drain tile openings within this excavation with concrete to ensure storm water runoff or impacted groundwater would no longer drain from the site into the off site storm sewer system and backfilled remaining open excavation and trench. EPA identified summa canister deployment locations and discussed procedures and access with residents.
February 19, 2014
EPA deployed six summa canisters with 24-hour regulators within the basements of residential and commercial properties.
February 20, 2014
EPA retrieved the six summa canisters that deployed on February 19, 2014 and gained access to one remaining residential property and deployed an additional summa canister.
February 21, 2014
EPA retrieved remaining summa canister from residential property and prepared all canisters for shipping and laboratory analysis for VOC’s.
February 27, 2014
EPA conducted conference call with state and local representatives, along with ATSDR to discuss analytical data results.
March 17, 2014
EPA traveled to McCutchenville, Ohio to distribute the results of the summa canister sampling event to the residents that allowed sampling in their homes. If a resident was not home at the time of the visit, an information package with laboratory sampling data and a call back number was left in a secure location.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
The RP has been issued a Notice of Federal Interest (NOFI). The NOFI was issued to Route 53 Service, LLC, Raman Khauia (Co-Owner) and Sam Singh (Co-Owner).
2.1.4 Progress Metrics
| Regional Metrics |
| This is an Integrated River Assessment. The numbers should overlap. |
Miles of river systems cleaned and/or restored |
0 |
| Cubic yards of contaminated sediments removed and/or capped |
0 |
| Gallons of oil/water recovered |
50,000 |
| Acres of soil/sediment cleaned up in floodplains and riverbanks |
0 |
| Stand Alone Assessment |
Number of contaminated residential yards cleaned up |
0 |
| Number of workers on site |
1 |
| Contaminant(s) of Concern |
Gasoline |
| Oil response Tracking |
| Estimated volume |
Initial amount released |
500 |
| Final amount collected |
500 |
| CANAPS Info |
FPN Ceiling Amount |
$75,000 |
| FPN Number |
E14503 |
| Body of Water affected |
Thorn Run, tributary to the Sandusky River |
| Administrative and Logistical Factors (Check X where applicable) |
| NO: Precedent-Setting HQ Consultations (e.g., fracking, asbestos) |
NO Community challenges or high involvement |
NO Radiological |
| NO: More than one PRP |
NO Endangered Species Act / Essential Fish Habitat issues |
NO Explosives |
| NO: AOC |
NO Historic preservation issues |
X Residential impacts |
| NO: UAO |
NO NPL site |
NO Relocation |
| NO: DOJ involved |
NO Remote location |
NO Drinking water impacted |
| NO: Criminal Investigation Division involved |
X Extreme weather or abnormal field season |
NO Environmental justice |
| NO: Tribal consultation or coordination or other issues |
NO Congressional involvement |
X High media interest |
| NO: Statutory Exemption for $2 Million |
NO Statutory Exemption for 1 Year |
NO Active fire present |
| NO: Hazmat Entry Conducted – Level A, B or C |
X Incident or Unified Command established |
NO Actual air release (not threatened) |
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2.2 Planning Section
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2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
- Supply the local, State and ATSDR with laboratory analytical results from the summa canister sampling events on February 19-21, 2014.
- On Thursday, February 10, 2014, the State of Ohio-Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Release (BUSTR) was on-site and will provide on-going oversight of the RP clean-up per their State regulations.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
None.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
None.
2.2.2 Issues
- On several occasions the RP contractor has indicated that there were issues with payment from the RP. While this issue has not resulted in a substantial delay in response efforts, it is being monitored by the OSC.
- On several occasions the owner of the gasoline station was present in the store when elevated VOC and Benzene readings were recorded on handheld instruments. The owner was advised that it was not in her best interest to be present in the store with the elevated readings but she refused and stayed for 8-12 hours per day.
- On Wednesday, February 19, 2014, there was a public meeting to provide an update to the response and information to residents about a sewer cleaning project that would potentially produce elevated indoor VOC readings in residential homes on February 20, 2014.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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N/A
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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
N/A
2.5.2 Liaison Officer
N/A
2.5.3 Information Officer
N/A
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3. Participating Entities
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3.1 Unified Command
EPA
OEPA
McCutchenville FD (McCFD)
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
ATSDR
EPA-ERT
Ohio EPA
McCFD
Tiffin FD
Fostoria FD
Seneca County HD
Wyandot County HD
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA - 1
START - 2
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5. Definition of Terms
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N/A
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6. Additional sources of information
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6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
www.epaosc.org/McCutchenville_Gas
6.2 Reporting Schedule
N/A
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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N/A
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