In this incident, on December 16, 2020, Team Pro-Enviro received a call about a diesel and engine oil spill in Enumclaw, WA. The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) was on the scene and estimated between 125 to 150 gallons of fuel had spilled. DOE specifically requested spill response and mediation because of the impact on the road, private property, and a stormwater drain.
DOE further requested an evacuator, fuel spill response equipment, and a HAZWOPER trained personal. We sent the equipment and operators and left immediately for the spill cleanup.
Day One: Spill Cleanup
The initial scene assessment showed a large area had already become contaminated, including the gravel shoulder, driveway, ditch, and some landscaping. The fuel and oil had also created ponds that had begun to stream. Our team quickly got to work deploying absorbent materials to minimize the spread of the spills. We then used the evacuator to remove both freestanding fluid and areas of contaminated ground and soil.
Containment dams and dikes were put into place to control the spread of fluid. Our team also put together a site map to track the spill area and the areas we had already cleaned. The damaged dump truck was contained and removed from the scene.
We needed a flatbed tow truck with more supplies and an enclosed dump trailer to handle the fuel spill cleanup. We also brought in a compact track loader with specialty track loader attachments and an additional spill response technician. For spills this big, we cover all our bases.
We secured a temporary storage location to bring loads of contaminated waste. Our team continued into the night, cleaning an area of around 200 feet long and 50 feet wide. Using the compact track loader and sweeper attached, we could clear and reopen the roads for traffic. More work had to continue later in the daylight.
Day Two: Fuel Spill Cleanup on Private Property
The second day’s scene inspection found diesel on the ground on the private property. We spoke with DOE and got the requirements to return and work on the 30×50 foot contaminated area.
To deal with the contamination below the soil, we called Puget Sound Energy, Puget Sound Gas, City of Enumclaw, Comcast, and Century Link. While our team waited for a response, we continued fuel spill cleanup of the rest of the area.
We closed the shoulder and set up a safe work area, then deployed the evacuator and compact track loader. Team Pro-Enviro worked efficiently to clear soil and contaminated waste and set up night safety lighting to keep working. Because of COVID-19, we had to wait until the morning to take the waste manifest to a location in Tacoma, WA. One more day.
Day Three: Finish
On the final day, we contacted waste contamination and transported the waste. All soil samples got delivered to the laboratory for later testing. Our team reconditioned the equipment for the next call, and after final communications, cleared the call.
An extensive––but well handled––fuel spill cleanup complete!
