Monday, March 2, 2015

ABOVE-GROUND OIL STORAGE TANK FAILS, SPILLING 1,500-GALLONS OF USED MOTOR OIL INTO SULPHUR CREEK AND YAKIMA RIVER IN WASHINGTON STATE








MARCH 2, 2015

 YAKIMA, WASHINGTON

The Department of Ecology says an above-ground storage tank near Sunnyside failed on  March 1st, sending as much as 1,500 gallons of used motor oil into Sulphur Creek  and the Yakima River. The spill created a sheen seen as far south as Prosser.
Department of Ecology spill responders Sunday afternoon deployed absorbent pads and protective boom at multiple locations, including about 900 feet upstream from the mouth of Sulphur Creek and at a fish hatchery on the Yakima River in Prosser.

The environmental cleanup company NRC  has been hired by Ecology and is using vacuum trucks to remove the remaining oil. Local, state and tribal officials are jointly responding to the incident.

The cause of the failure of the tank, which occurred at a former feed lot property, is still under investigation.  

Sulphur Creek is used as an irrigation return drain by the Sunnyside Valley Irrigation District .

Information will be updated at 'Ecologys website on the incident.