Power Control Center Diesel Fuel Remediation

FUEL RELEASE FLOOD PROBLEM

A major electrical cooperative experienced fuel entering its computer grid control building, electrical vaults, and elevator shafts during a flood. Fuel was also migrating offsite via a creek. The Coop engaged Remtech Engineers to find the source and remediate the fuel release.

ELECTRICAL CONTROL CENTER FUEL FLOOD REMEDIATION SOLUTION

Remtech set up fuel recovery systems under the building and an interceptor trench with recovery wells to stop fuel from entering the building. Three containment/recovery points were also setup in the creek. Fuel was pumped into frac tanks and ventilation systems were set up to remove vapors from the building.

Test borings were conducted to locate the plume source. The responsible party was identified to be an upgradient electrical maintenance company who later retained Remtech to find the source and remediate the problem.

Over five-acres were investigated with ground penetrating radar and metal detection equipment to attempt to locate an underground storage tank. No point source was found. Additional test borings and 5 test pits (converted into multiphase extraction wells) traced the fuel foot print to an underground culvert and preferential pathways that flowed towards towards the Coop building. The source was determined to be releases from motive fueling of the contractors equipment over many years that had accumulated in a low spot that flood waters flushed out.

Principal tasks completed by Remtech on this project were: installation of two lined interceptor trenches, 3 multiphase extraction tenches, seven recovery wells, recovery of 43,560 gal of petroleum contact water, recovery of 1,000 gal of fuel, and excavation of 440 tons of contaminated soil. The responsible party brought in their corporate remediation company and excavated and disposed of several acres of contaminated soil to a depth of approximately eight feet.

ELECTRIC CONTROL CENTER FLOOR REMEDIATION COST/BENEFITS

At $50,000 into the project, the responsible party was demonstrated to be an entity other than the Electrical Coop that initially engaged Remtech. The responsible party complemented Remtech’s aggressive containment and recovery actions that assumed all costs and liabilities.