ML20126C951

NPDES Noncompliance Notification:On 850529,oil Spill from Storm Drain Discovered.Caused by Surface Runoff Due to Rain. Oil Dispersed Before Cleanup Procedures Initiated

ML20126C951
Person / Time
Site:	Surry
Issue date:	06/03/1985
From:	Taylor J VIRGINIA POWER (VIRGINIA ELECTRIC & POWER CO.)
To:	Dass K VIRGINIA, COMMONWEALTH OF
References
NUDOCS 8506140586
Download: ML20126C951 (2)

Text

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CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED Mr. K. C. Dass Regional Director State Water Control Board Piedmont Regional Office 2201 West Broad Street.

Richmond, Virginia 23230 Surry. Power Station - Oil Spill

Dear Mr. Dass:

This is to confirm the recent oil spill at our Surry Power Station that was previously reported by telephone to the Staff of the State Water Control Board on the evening of May 29,-1985.

On the evening of tidy 29, station personnel discovered a light sheen of oil coming from a stcrm drain issuing into the station discharge canal.

Investigations into-possible sources ensued and the remainder of the discharge canal area was checked to determine whether oil had passed the' permanent containment boom located in the canal. Meanwhile the release had stopped.

Due to the light nature and small size of the sheen, it was dispersed within

~ the canal before cleanup could be accomplished. During followup investigation that evening, oil was again observed coming from the same storm drain', forming a' light sheen approximately five by twenty feet. A light oil sheen was noticed in a station yard drain, which was apparently the input point. Due to several factors (approaching darkness, the fact that the sheen did not appear to be moving from the upper end of the canal, the permanent containment boom located at the' lower canal, and the safety hazards of working on slippery

. surfaces at night), cleanup prccedures were initiated the following morning.

At that time, no oil was found in the canal, as it had apparently been dispersed, due to its light nature and wave action.

The spill source was originally reported as an oil recovery system leak.

However, further investigation determined that this was not the case, but that e the source was the storm drain' at the upper end of the canal. Surface runoff, related-to recent rains, was the cause.

On the morning of May 30, 1985, personnel from the United States Coast Guard's Norfolk facility visited the site, investigated the event and concurred with our conclusion regarding the source of the sheen.

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Mr. K. C. Dass Page 2 June 3, 1985

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Observations of the discharge canal and the local James River area indicated that none of the sheen reached the James River. No apparent adverse environmental impact to state waters, wildlife or public property occurred.

If you have any further questions regarding this matter, please let us know.

Very truly yours, John A. Taylor, Ph. .

Manager Water Quality cc: U. S. Coast Guard Dr. J. Nelson Grace, USNRC Docket No. 50-280/50-281 v Nr. Harold R. Denton, USNRC Docket No. 50-280/50-281 Mr. Donald J. Burke, USNRC Docket No. 50-280/50-281 0591020BWE1562