How to Clean Up a Diesel Fuel Spill in the US’s Shallowest Groundwater
What to Do In the Event of an Unexpected Leak
A CASE STUDY
Diesel fuel spills are every facility manager's nightmare. But when you’re working in Florida, with its sensitive environmental conditions, the complexity magnifies.
A healthcare facility on the Florida Gulf Coast discovered a significant fuel spill. The cause of the spill was a mechanical malfunction within its onsite generator system. The accidental diesel spill, stemming from an aboveground day tank fed by a larger supply tank, resulted in the release of over 1,000 gallons of fuel.
This incident triggered a rapid sequence of responses and regulatory actions specific to a state known for having some of the shallowest groundwater in the U.S. It became urgent to have a spill cleanup strategy.
Project Highlights
Timeline:
May 2022: The fuel release
June 2022 – January 2024: Required groundwater and soil investigational along with local regulatory authority
February 2024: Submitted Remedial Action plan
Project Size:
A spill of 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel
A plume of 2,000 square feet
Project Scope:
Enact emergency spill response
Do initial soil source recovery removal with free product recovery wells installed later
Monitor well sampling and plume mapping
Execute remediation action plan
Project Outcomes:
Responded immediately to the spill
Recovered more than 50% of the fuel
Cost:
$200,000 to date (includes only initial response, limited source removal, and plume delineation)
Florida's Unique Environmental Risks
Why is a fuel release different in Florida? It's a question that sets this state's response dynamics apart. The delicate blend of surface water and shallow groundwater, just 4-6 feet deep depending on seasonal fluctuations, creates a risky environment for potential fuel tank spills and hazardous materials. It is among the shallowest groundwater tables in the U.S., which sits atop an intricate system of aquifers that supply drinking water to millions of Floridians.
This shallow groundwater also influences Florida’s recreational waterways. The risk of groundwater contamination from surface spills is significantly higher than in other states.
Challenges and Objectives
The fuel release from the facility had an instant effect on the soil, causing it to spread vertically and reach the groundwater. This led to a swift movement of fuel beyond the initial source area. The facility needed to prove the fuel plume did not cross an adjacent roadway and onto off-site property. A release off-site can increase potential fines for the responsible party or expectations of damages to be alleviated due to its impact on surrounding public or private properties. Consequently, the facility now undergoes quarterly monitoring as directed by local environmental authorities to ensure strict adherence to remediation mandates and environmental regulations.
Solutions
GHP’s response team mobilized within 24 hours to immediately start initial source recovery removal. We wasted no time in excavating around 29 tons of impacted sand in the area immediately adjacent to the diesel fuel leak. After quickly installing water recovery wells, we removed an estimated 1,200 gallons of fuel-impacted groundwater over a period of months. On impact we worked to eliminate as much as possible of free product, which is diesel that does not dissolve in water and usually floats on top of groundwater.
Once we removed as much as we could and the spill was stable, GHP traced the spill's reach beneath the ground and water. We installed and monitored numerous monitoring wells over several months to determine the horizontal and vertical extent of the release. After thorough sampling, we meticulously charted the fuel plume and collaborated with an onsite engineer to craft a remedial action strategy for cleaning up the underground diesel plume.
This plan involves the onsite installation of a soil vapor extraction system that is in the regulatory approval stage now. Operating via a network of pipes that inject air into designated zones underground, the system then channels the vapor into collection pipes for purification and release into uncontaminated areas. This process can span years, but it has proven effective to methodically extract fuel from water. The alternative of neglecting a spill could pose a far greater risk, leading to potential decades of cleanup and further contamination beyond our site, not to mention possible fines and enforcement action.
Results
GHP’s team collaborated with the county authorities in Florida to address the delicate environmental issues arising from the spill. We successfully recovered over 50% of the initial losses, either through retrieving free product from the wells or by remedying the soil contamination.
While the spill inevitably incurred financial repercussions for the facility, it also presents an opportunity to take proactive measures toward emergency preparedness. It’s an opportunity to enhance emergency management protocols, prioritize preventive maintenance, and adapt the infrastructure to minimize the impact of potential future incidents.
Conclusion
Moving forward, the facility has made substantial progress in refining its emergency response strategies and bolstering preventive maintenance practices. GHP has adapted the site to mitigate the consequences of any potential future fuel spills. This proactive stance not only reduces future financial burdens but also safeguards Florida's vulnerable environmental ecosystem.
If you need help planning for potential fuel spills or responding to an emergency event, turn to GHP’s experts. Our quick and careful guidance can save you time and money.