NCG170400_Emergency Inspection Email_20190530

Reed, Isaiah L
From: Reed, Isaiah L
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2019 9:44 AM
To: Aiken, Stan E
Cc: Wiggs, Linda; Georgoulias, Bethany; Morman, Alaina
Subject: Emergency Inspection at Seiren America LLC
Sta n,
After being informed by Linda Wiggs (DWR) that a spill had occurred at the Seiren facility (NCG170400, 1500 E Union
Street, Morganton). A site inspection was performed. Linda Wiggs and myself arrived on site at 4:15 pm on May 29,
2019. We initially met with Cecil Huffman (Burke County), Mike Willis (Burke County) and Gary Sparks (STAT). We then
met with Kermit Hollman (Seiren) and Kevin Heape (Seiren).
When we arrived on site, STAT was pumping out the large basin on the South side of the facility. Oil was visible in the
pond. I walked down to where the stormwater pipe entered the pond and found it to be 50% submerged.
We went to where the fire had happened and found that there was a large amount of oil still visible around the spill site,
in the grass, and being carried to the stormdrains by a brief rainfall that occurred while on site.
We observed oil residue in the drainage channel leading North from the facility as well, to the second outfall. It was
communicated to Mr. Heape that measures are needed to prevent further migration of that material off site.
The description given of the spill by Mr. Heape is the following:
1) At 10:30 am a large oil tank used for heat transfer (Chevron 22) began leaking from a connection inside the
facility.
2) Personnel in the facility went to turn the power off to the tank, and for a reason not quite understood at this
point, shutting off the power started a fire.
3) 6-8 sprinkler heads then opened for a duration of —30 minutes filling the area with water and oil, resulting in the
spill.
4) The oil/water mix made its way to at least 3 storm drains and a drainage ditch.
5) The tank that drained out has a total capacity of 500 gallons.
6) The stormwater basin never discharged (confirmed during the inspection).
7) STAT will be removing the spilled oil from the pond, and contaminated soils will be removed from the spill area.
After getting a description of the events, Mr. Heape and myself walked down to the outlet end of the basin and
confirmed that no water or oil residue was visible in the spillway.
I confirmed with Mr. Heape that he was aware of all reporting requirements in the permit, and he will be submitting a
report to the department as required by the permit.
I will be following up with Mr. Heape in the coming days to confirm the situation on site. A follow up inspection will be
performed next week if possible.
Thanks,
Let me know if there is anything else I can do. Pictures from the inspection are available at T: 4 Regional Offices 4 ARO
4 Seiren Emergency Inspection Photos
Isaiah

Isaiah L Deed. CPSWQ� MWEII. CEPSCI
En►ironikieittal Speciafisl
Division of Energy. Mineral and Land Resources
lorlIL Caroliwt Deparlment of EnvirowitenlaI QuAty
Land Qualih- SKIion. Asherllle He ional Office
Phone: (828) M 4614 Email: lsaYah.reed 02N DENR.sggv 2094 US H" 70. Swannanaa, North Carolina 28778
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