Orcas Island spill

Status updates

April 17, 2015

Soil samples collected last week have came back as non-detect, except for one sample at the east end of the pit. That sample showed 0.08 mg/kg for benzene when the cleanup standard is 0.03mg/kg.

The contractor will excavate more soil, take another sample, and Ecology expects the cleanup to be complete within a week.

April 11, 2015

A gasoline tanker truck overturned near Eastsound and the Orcas Island Airport on Friday April 10. First responders evacuated the area for ½ mile in all directions to protect human health and safety in case of potential fire related to the spill.

The Orcas Island Fire Department, Ecology and cleanup contractors worked overnight to secure the scene, stop the leak and remove the remaining fuel from the tanker.

Fuel from both compartments of the tanker has been removed. Approximately 4,300 gallons were moved from the overturned tanker to another holding tank by a vacuum truck.

As a precautionary measure, the Eastsound Water Users Association shut down nearby groundwater wells that could be at risk of contamination. The association estimates adequate water supplies to serve customers until potential contamination can be assessed and cleanup completed.

We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

Contractors have removed approximately 70 cubic yards of contaminated soil and are waiting for test results of the excavated area to ensure all the fuel-soaked soil has been removed.

Once Ecology receives confirmation all contamination has been removed, contractors will dispose soil off site and backfill the excavated area with clean soil.