No water impacts have been reported
After gathering more information on the crude oil spill that occurred near Mayfield Road on June 29, according to a report by the Pipeline Safety Trust, it was the second largest oil spill in Tennessee history.
The report states: “Initially estimated at 21,000 gallons, as clean-up operations started, the number of gallons leaked shot up to 201,600. The spill is the second largest recorded crude oil spill in Tennessee history according to PHMSA’s Incident Data for Hazardous Liquids, which dates back to 1986. The last spill of this magnitude was a 357,000-gallon spill in Clarksville, TN in 1988 on the very same pipeline system.”
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) Deputy Communications Director Kim Schofinski, gave more information regarding the oil spill.
“An easement maintenance contractor was mowing the pipeline easement along the Energy Transfer pipeline and struck the pipeline, discharging approximately 201,600 gallons of oil on June 29. The spill was secured on June 30. The cleanup response is being led by Energy Transfer personnel and contractors, with technical oversight led by EPA (U.S. Environment Protection Agency) and TDEC. Cooperating agencies include TWRA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
TDEC has requested that water quality monitoring for benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene, extractable petroleum hydrocarbons, and total petroleum hydrocarbons occur on a weekly basis at three locations (upstream of the impact to Horse Creek at Duberry Road; within Horse Creek above the dam constructed to capture oil release; and downstream of Mayfield Road). Additional water quality monitoring may be requested as cleanup activities progress.”
Schofinski stated no impact to drinking water has been reported at this time.
“There are no surface drinking water intakes in the community; no impacts to nearby drinking water wells have been reported; and no water contact advisories have been issued at this time,” she said.
In response to questions about the volume of oil spilled, Energy Transfer only added that “The oil was immediately contained at Horse Creek and there has been no impact to any other waterway. The line has been repaired and safely returned to service.”
Air monitoring is still ongoing as a precaution.
The oil spill that occurred near Mayfield road on June 29 resulted in the second largest oil spill in Tennessee history. There are no impacts to drinking water at this time. Pictured is a United States Environment Agency Communications trailer on site.
