Contaminated soil removed from October BP gas pipeline break site, tests pending
GIRARD TWP. — Containers of contaminated soil have been removed following the BP petroleum pipeline break site on Bell Road Oct. 17.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy spokesperson Jill Greenberg said, “BP contractors removed the bulk of impacted soil and installed a set of temporary groundwater monitoring wells.”
In the last six weeks, contractors using backhoes removed soil from around the line break, which spilled 8,400 gallons of gasoline. Over two dozen covered dumpsters that filled a wooden pad were trucked to a licensed Ohio burn facility to clean the soil.
Greenberg said, “While soil and groundwater samples were collected, final confirmation soil samples and groundwater samples have not yet been received by EGLE. These samples will likely guide the long-term direction and continued work at the site.”
Most of the contractors have left the 70-acre farm.
A 30-by-50-foot area opened for repair is now closed, surrounded by an orange snow fence.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is investigating the break. The ruptured section of the 80-year-old 10-inch metal line was sent to an independent testing laboratory.
PHMSA said, “The investigation is ongoing, and the third-party metallurgical analysis has not been issued yet.”
The break area is near Vincent, Round, and Fox Lakes along Hog Creek, a wetland area.
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The break was on the west side of Bell Road, across from the Potawatomi Campground, which had closed for the season.
Officials evacuated the half dozen homes in the area for several days until the immediate danger from the gasoline abated.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Health Agency is prepared to test well water in the area should homeowners request the service.
Initial tests showed no contamination in nearby waterways.
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Some were concerned that agricultural equipment damaged the line, but Branch County Administrator Bud Norman said the break occurred in an area that had not been farmed.
Norman and county emergency manager Tim Miner headed up local response.
Less than two weeks after the break, PHMSA allowed the repaired line to reopen, supplying three million gallons of gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel daily between the BP Whiting, Indiana refinery and a River Rouge terminal.
Automatic shutoffs activated shortly after the pressure drop indicated a break and sealed off the section in Girard Township. BP removed 3,000 gallons from the pipeline that did not leak after the break.
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New markers now indicate where the line crosses Bell Road.
BP did not respond for comment by press time.
— Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Contaminated soil removed October BP gas pipeline break Girard
