5,000 Gallons of Fuel Spilled into Ohio River, Water Supply
Remains Safe
The State Journal
19 August 2014
By Sarah Tincher, Energy Reporter
During a routine transfer of fuel oil at its W.C. Beckjord
Station, located in New Richmond, Ohio, approximately 5,000
gallons of fuel was discharged into the Ohio River between 11:15
p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Aug. 18, Duke Energy announced.
Local, state and environmental agencies, along with the Coast
Guard were promptly notified. Northern Kentucky Water District and
Greater Cincinnati Water Works also were notified to take
appropriate action, according to the release.
"We notified state and local authorities of the incident and have
been working with them throughout the overnight hours," said Chuck
Whitlock, Duke Energy president of Midwest Commercial Generation
and vice president of gas operations. "We have cleanup crews on
site that are identifying the appropriate actions that will be
needed to remediate."
As a precautionary measure, Greater Cincinnati Water Works
and the Northern Kentucky Water District immediately shut down the
Ohio River intakes to ensure water safety, both companies
announced. Due to reserves, the companies have been able continue
operating while the intakes are down.
When the intakes are reopened, both companies said they have the
ability to utilize powdered activated carbon and granular
activated carbon treatment processes to serve as an additional
barrier to prevent this material from getting into our water
system.
"GCWW water quality scientists are continuously monitoring the
Ohio River, in conjunction with the Northern Kentucky Water
District, in order to keep the water supply safe and protect
the public health," GCWW said in a statement.