The following is from a letter received by Verde Environmental, Inc.'s Houston office:
At 6:40 a.m. on January 27, 1994, Mr. Melvin Solomon discovered 3" to 4" of gasoline floating on the surface in his first two basins at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. He immediately turned off the pumps to the basins to keep it contained and began diverting the influent into their lagoon or holding pond.
As first response, the fire department applied AFFF to the contained basins as a means of smothering the gasoline fumes until "Micro-Blaze" was delivered. Upon delivery, the contaminated basins and lagoon was sprayed. Within ten minutes, the fumes were gone and the compounds were breaking down. The only problem that was encountered at the plant was some foaming problems which was experienced in the beginning due to the previous application of AFFF. Otherwise, the plant was okay.
By 1:40 p.m. the wastewater personnel had taken COD and TPH tests on the incoming effluent. At this time, the effluent was divided equally to flow into the plant and the lagoon. Volatile readings were done by the fire department up and down the sewer lines and those were fine. By 11:57 p.m. the Wastewater Plant was at normal operating capacity and discharging.
The contaminated water that had been diverted into the lagoon was pumped back into the plant within the next 4 to 5 days. Again the plant was not affected.
COD tests, sludge analysis and TCLP's were taken several times by the wastewater personnel and found to be fine. Bio-monitoring was also done for one month after the spill. The effluent passed all criteria with no effect on aquatic life.
CONCLUSION: Wastewater personnel estimated that approximately 6,000 gals. of gasoline was spilled. Two hundred (200) gals. of "Micro-Blaze" Emergency Liquid Spill Control was used in the total clean-up. (This entailed the washing down of the streets, some soils and a creek were sprayed, plus the amounts that were poured directly into the 8 miles of sewer lines through manholes, and the amount of product used at the wastewater treatment site.)
So far it has been estimated that the cost incurred by the City of Conroe was approximately $50,000. The material cost was approximately 10% of that figure.
For further information, you may contact:
MR. MELVIN SOLOMON
WASTE WATER PLANT OPERATIONS
CONROE TEXAS
409/760-4634
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