|
|
Sewer District investigates third oil spill on Cuyahoga River
Posted July 10, 2009
New oil discharge detected while sewer crews continue ongoing investigation into June 26 seagull deaths
Cleveland - On Thursday, July 9, 2009, during its ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the seagull deaths in the Cuyahoga River on June 26, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) crews spotted and investigated an oily discharge from a combined sewer outfall along the Cuyahoga River near Steelyard Commons.
NEORSD investigators traced the grease-like substance to
Sanimax, a oil-processing facility, located at 1002 Beltline Avenue. After dye-testing multiple catch basins on Sanimax's property, it was confirmed by NEORSD that, in fact, the discharge originated from the company.
NEORSD determined that the discharge was caused by a connection problem on the Sanimax's property. In general, catch basins convey stormwater to either a combined or separate storm sewer system. NEORSD determined that there are connections from the plant to the catch basins. These connections from the plant are discharging sanitary waste and process water, which includes grease as well as stormwater, into the catch basins. The catch basins lead directly to the Cuyahoga River.
"Although Sanimax is located approximately two miles upstream from where numerous seagulls were found covered with an oil-like substance on June 26th, it is unclear at this point whether these two incidents are related," stated Frank Foley, NEORSD Superintendent of Environmental Services. "NEORSD's investigation into the seagull deaths is ongoing."
On Friday, June 26, 2009, NEORSD received reports by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency about numerous seagulls, which were covered with an oil-like substance, found dead or dying at the turning basin of the Cuyahoga River. Also, struggling seagulls were reportedly seen prior to June 26, as early as June 15. The origination of the oil-like substance has yet to be determined.
Additionally, on Wednesday, June 24, 2009, NEORSD filed a report with the EPA, indicating that a grease-like substance was found floating near the Kingsbury Run netting facility, which is about 1/2-mile downstream
from the Cuyahoga River turning basin -- the same location of the dead or dying
seagulls. The substance was detected during the NEORSD's routine inspection of its sewer infrastructure.
NEORSD continues to actively investigate both the seagull
deaths and the grease-like substance found at the Kingsbury Run netting facility.
"The Sewer District is doing all the real investigating at its own direction because it takes more than waiting for someone to turn themselves in. Additionally, given the complex maze of sewer pipe, it's not in Greater Cleveland's best interest to jump to conclusions. We're looking for answers through investigation and analysis," stated Julius Ciaccia, NEORSD Executive Director. "[We] must continually analyze these types of situations, doggedly tracking down potential sources. That's what the Sewer District will continue to do throughout our region -- a region trying to become a green city on a blue lake."
In an effort to fully determine the source of the substances, NEORSD submitted three samples for infrared (IR) spectroscopy testing early last week to Precision Analytical, Inc., an independent lab. The three samples included the grease-like substance found at the Kingsbury Run netting facility, feathers collected by the United States Coast Guard
(USCG) from dead seagulls found at the Cuyahoga River turning basin on June
26, and a dead whole-body seagull found floating in the Cuyahoga River on July 1.
The analysis indicates that the material sampled at the Kingsbury Run netting facility appears to be a mixture of animal and vegetable oils with evidence of oxidation. The results also show the material on the whole body gull appears to contain material similar to that from the Kingsbury Run netting facility and other unknown material. However,
the material from the netting facility and from the whole-body seagull is different from the material on the feathers from the gulls collected at the Cuyahoga River turning basin on June 26, 2009. Given that there was only a small amount of material present on the feathers, though, the lab has not been able to come to a conclusion as to the type of material on them.
"At this point, it doesn't appear likely that the grease
from the Kingsbury Run netting facility passed through multiple barriers and
traveled upstream half a mile, killing the seagulls. Given that this is still an ongoing investigation, we're not ruling it out, though," stated Foley. "However, it seems like quite a stretch to make that assumption, especially when the evidence is pointing elsewhere."
NEORSD staff collected samples from yesterday's oil spill at Sanimax. Those samples will be analyzed by an independent lab and results will be compared against the other three samples.
At this point the three oil spills are being
treated as separate events.
For additional information, please contact Public Information Specialist Jean Chapman at 216-881-6600 ext. 6853.
|
|
|
