SEVERN TRENT WATER CALLED OUT TO 150 WATER PIPE BURSTS IN TWO WEEKS IN LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE, UK

SEVERN TRENT WATER CALLED OUT TO 150 WATER PIPE BURSTS IN TWO WEEKS IN LEICESTER AND LEICESTERSHIRE, UK

By Leicester Mercury  |  Posted: January 05, 2015

By Samantha Fisher

Severn Trent has been busy fixing burst water pipes across Leicester and Leicestershire

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More than 150 water pipes have burst in the past two weeks in the city and county.

Severn Trent has seen an increase in leaks and bursts possibly caused by the ground shrinking and expanding as it freezes and thaws due to changes in temperature.

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Severn Trent was called out to a burst water pipe on Christmas Eve where the team had to work overnight to fix a leak in Packington, Leicestershire.

Workers also had to battle through the snow on Boxing Day to bring water to people in Bradgate Street and Blackbird Road, Leicester.

Jayne Dane, customer service duty officer from Severn Trent Water, said: "We were called out to a block of flats in Bradgate Street and Blackbird Road where customers had lost their water supply.

“It turned out that the issue was on the property itself, so we’re unable to fix it and we had to leave that up to the property maintenance team.

“We couldn’t leave our customers without water, even if it’s not our responsibility to do the repair, and especially not at Christmas.

“As a gesture of goodwill, our teams of engineers battled through the heavy snow to deliver free supplies of bottled water to everyone affected.

“We know it’s not the best situation, but at least the residents had water to use until the repairs were done.”

One resident affected by the leak said: “A big thank you to Severn Trent Water for stepping up and getting water to us.

“We do really appreciate what Severn Trent Water has done.”

A spokeswoman from Severn Trent Water said: “As the weather has become very cold over the last couple of weeks, we’ve seen a slight increase in the number of leaks and bursts on water pipes reported to us in the Leicestershire area.

“Over the last two weeks, we’ve had nearly 150 burst pipes and leaks reported to us in the Leicestershire area, and our teams have been ready and waiting to get out and fix them.

“We really want people to let us know when there’s a problem, even if it’s not affecting their water supply. We take leakage very seriously, and as well as not wanting to waste water, we don’t want escaping water to freeze and become dangerous.

“The sooner we know about a leak or burst, the sooner we can fix it, no matter what time of the day or night.”

Jamie Turner and Bob Hall, who have been finding and fixing leaks across Leicestershire for over 30 years combined, are urging the public to report water pipe leaks.

They said: “The weather forecasters are predicting that it’s going to turn cold and we’re expecting to see frost and ice.

“In many cases, we don’t know where leaks are until our customers report them. Please don’t assume we already know about the burst or leak, even if it’s a large one - particularly in rural areas where it’s possible for leaks to run for days without being noticed.

“Customers will often spot a leak before we can and we’re always grateful for your help.”

If you spot a leak call 0800 783 4444, the call is free on most landlines. Or report the leak using at stwater.co.uk/reportaleak.

THE DISHONEST NOISE STUDIES AT COMPRESSOR STATIONS. ALL THE NOISE STUDIES COMPLETELY IGNORE THE THUNDERING NOISES OF THE SAFETY VALVES, THE COMPRESSOR BLOWDOWN VALVES AND ALL OTHER OPENING AND CLOSING OF VALVES: SAFETY VALVE TRIGGERS LOUD NOISE AT WYOMING COUNTY GAS PLANT, SUMMONING EMERGENCY RESPONDERS TO THE COMPRESSOR SITE.

The dishonest noise studies at compressor stations.  All the noise studies completely ignore the thundering noises of the safety valves, the compressor blowdown valves and all other opening and closing of valves:  Safety valve triggers loud noise at Wyoming County gas plant, summoning emergency responders to the compressor site.

Published: January 5, 2015

WASHINGTON TWP., Pennsylvania — A safety valve at the Hirkey Compressor Station in Wyoming County worked as it was intended to Sunday night, but the loud noise from whooshing gas still summoned emergency workers to the scene.

Around 9 p.m., crews from Tunkhannock and Wyoming County Emergency Management Agency were called to the plant, EMA Director Gene Dziak said.

The valve had released the gas and then closed as it was designed, he said. Mr. Dziak said he was not certain gas had escaped into the atmosphere. Much of the compressor station is enclosed.

Employees from Regency Energy Partners LP, the Dallas, Texas, company that operates Hirkey, were on the scene to check the entire plant, Mr. Dziak said

Pennsylvania DEP Fines Leighow Oil Co. Inc. More Than $63,000 for Violations at Two Facilities in Montour County. Spills caused environmental degradation to a wetland and two creeks and could have been prevented if Leighow had properly maintained and monitored its facilities

Pennsylvania DEP Fines Leighow Oil Co. Inc. More Than $63,000 for Violations at Two Facilities in Montour County.   Spills caused environmental degradation to a wetland and two creeks and could have been prevented if Leighow had properly maintained and monitored its facilities 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

01/5/2015

CONTACT:

Daniel Spadoni, DEP North-Central Regional Office

570-327-3636

 

PADEP Fines Leighow Oil Co. Inc. More Than $63,000 for Violations at Two Facilities in Montour County

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced it has fined Leighow Oil Co. Inc. of Danville $63,351 for Clean Streams Law and storage tank violations that were first discovered in December 2013 at two of its facilities in Mahoning and Valley townships.

“These spills caused environmental degradation to a wetland and two creeks and could have been prevented if Leighow had properly maintained and monitored its facilities,” DEP North-central Regional Director Marcus Kohl said. “The department has seen improvement recently and expects that Leighow will do a much better job of operation and maintenance in the future to prevent any similar problems.”

The first spill at Leighow’s Food Shop 1 facility was discovered by the department’s Emergency Response program in early December 2013 following receipt of a citizen complaint about oil in Mauses Creek near the McDonald’s Restaurant in Valley Township.

The department’s investigation determined that gasoline and diesel fuel tanks had apparently been overfilled numerous times in September and November, and that a cap was not properly secured to one of the tank’s riser pipes.

A notice of violation was sent by DEP to the company on Dec. 9 notifying Leighow to immediately implement remedial actions to abate the discharge of diesel fuel and weathered petroleum product into Mauses Creek and its unnamed tributary.

Remedial actions taken by Leighow’s contractor included the installation of groundwater monitoring and recovery wells, geoprobe soil borings, and operation of a surface water oil skimmer and a groundwater treatment system.

In addition, the contractor removed 48,417 gallons of water and fuel oil from Mauses Creek and its tributary over a three month period using a vacuum truck.

The second spill was discovered on Dec. 22, 2013 following notification from the Montour County Emergency Management Agency concerning a release of heating oil from an above ground storage tank at Leighow’s storage facility in Mahoning Township.

The department’s investigation found that an overfill device on the tank malfunctioned during a night-time delivery, and a drain plug had been left open in the emergency containment structure surrounding the tank. This caused an undetermined amount of heating oil to flow through an oil/water separator and into a stormwater drainage ditch, a wetland and Mahoning Creek.

Department inspections documented a visible petroleum sheen on a spring/seep located down gradient of the containment structure, and a notice of violation was sent to the company on Jan. 9, 2014.

Leighow’s environmental contractor excavated contaminated soil and debris, and placed petroleum absorbent booms and pads at the oil/water separator and the drainage ditch.

Leighow has since corrected all of the violations cited at the Food Shop 1 facility. The company has voluntarily taken the above ground storage tank facility out of service since the incident because of additional upgrade requirements.

For more information, visit www.dep.state.pa.us or call 570-327-3636.

EPA Revised Chlorpyrifos Assessment Shows Risk to Workers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2015
EPA Revised Chlorpyrifos Assessment Shows Risk to Workers

WASHINGTON -Today, EPA is releasing an assessment for public comment on the potential for human health risk of the pesticide chlorpyrifos.  

This assessment shows some risks to workers who mix, load and apply chlorpyrifos pesticide products. When used in large amounts, chlorpyrifos has the potential to pose risks in limited geographic areas when drinking water from small watersheds.  There were no additional risks from pesticide exposures in food or exposures to bystanders and workers from airborne chlorpyrifos. The latest USDA pesticide residue data show no concerns for chlorpyrifos in food, with the pesticide detected in less than 1% of samples.
Based on the results of the risk assessment, additional restrictions may be necessary to ensure that workers who use or work around areas treated with chlorpyrifos are protected and that drinking water sources are protected. The agency will now begin work on measures to reduce these risks.

In 2000, EPA banned household uses of chlorpyrifos, with the exception of ant and roach bait in child-resistant packaging. Between 2000 and 2002 EPA cancelled the use of chlorpyrifos on tomatoes and restricted use on crops including apples, citrus and tree nuts. In 2012, EPA imposed “no-spray” buffer zones around public spaces, including recreational areas and homes, and significantly lowered pesticide application rates.
The assessment updates the June 2011 preliminary human health risk assessment based on new information received, including public comments. EPA factored in exposures from multiple sources including from the exposures from food and water, from inhaling the pesticide and through the skin. EPA considered all populations including infants, children, and women of child-bearing age. EPA incorporated information from a 2012 assessment of spray drift exposure and as well as new restrictions put into place to limit spray drift.
EPA is also assessing the ecological risks from chlorpyrifos in conjunction with the agency’s Endangered Species Protection Program; Results are expected later in 2015.

To view EPA’s revised risk assessment: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0850-0195
To view related documents and submit comments, go to docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2008-0850 at www.regulations.gov. The public comment period will be open for 60 days, beginning the day of publication in the Federal Register.
To read more about chlorpyrifos and its uses visit: http://www2.epa.gov/ingredients-used-pesticide-products/revised-human-health-risk-assessment-chlorpyrifos

Fort Smith, Arkansas Agrees to Upgrade Sewer System to Reduce Discharges of Raw Sewage into Local Waterways. City will also develop a program to help low income communities improve sewer infrastructure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 5, 2015
Fort Smith, Arkansas Agrees to Upgrade Sewer System to Reduce Discharges of Raw Sewage into Local Waterways
City will also develop a program to help low income communities improve sewer infrastructure
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice and the state of Arkansas announced that the city of Fort Smith, Ark. will upgrade its sewer collection and treatment system over the next 12 years to reduce discharges of raw sewage and other pollutants into local waterways. This work is expected to cost $255 million plus the cost of routine operation and maintenance. Under a settlement filed in federal court in the Western District of Arkansas, Fort Smith will also pay a $300,000 civil penalty and spend $400,000 on a program to help low income areas of the city repair and replace privately owned portions of the sewer network.
“This agreement means cleaner water for the residents of Fort Smith by reducing pollution flowing into local waterways,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “EPA works with communities like Fort Smith to develop cost-effective and pragmatic solutions to protect residents from exposure to raw sewage.”
“This settlement will achieve long overdue improvements in the city’s sewer system that will substantially reduce the number of sewage discharges and help assure that the citizens of Fort Smith reside in a safe and clean environment,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Sam Hirsch for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resource Division.
This agreement resolves alleged Clean Water Act violations related to Fort Smith’s failure to properly operate and maintain its sewer collection and treatment system. Since 2004, Fort Smith has had more than 2,000 discharges of untreated sewage from its municipal sewage system, resulting in more than 119 million gallons of raw sewage flowing into local waterways, including the Arkansas River. These types of discharges, known as sanitary system overflows, cause serious water quality and public health problems. Fort Smith also violated limits for discharges of various pollutants from its Massard and P Street wastewater treatment plants numerous times over the last decade.
Many of the manholes and pump stations from which Fort Smith’s sanitary sewage overflows occur are in low income and minority communities.
To cut sewage discharges, Fort Smith will conduct a comprehensive assessment of its sewer system to identify defects and places where stormwater may be entering the system. The city will also repair all sewer pipe segments and manholes that are likely to fail within the next 10 years, develop projects to improve its sewers’ performance and implement a program to clean the system of debris like grease and tree roots, which can exacerbate sewage discharges. Fort Smith will also implement a water monitoring program to determine whether human waste is entering and being discharged from the city’s stormwater system.
The implementation of the consent decree will reduce discharges of 3,492 pounds of total suspended solids, 3,343 pounds of biological oxygen demand, 543 pounds of nitrogen, and 78 pounds of phosphorus from the Fort Smith sewage system each year. High levels of these pollutants can reduce oxygen levels in water bodies, which can threaten the health of aquatic plants and animals. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water causes algae to grow faster than ecosystems can handle. Large growths of algae, known as algal blooms, contribute to the creation of hypoxia or “dead zones” in water bodies where oxygen levels are so low that most aquatic life cannot survive.
Sanitary system overflows and backups of raw sewage onto private property poses risk to human health and the environment. Untreated sewage contains organic matter, bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxics and metals, which may cause illness or even death when humans come into contact with them. Most illnesses that arise from contact with sewage are caused by pathogens, which are biological agents that cause disease or illness in a host. The most common pathogens in sewage are bacteria, parasites, and viruses.  They cause a wide variety of acute illnesses including diarrhea and infections.
Keeping raw sewage and contaminated storm water out of the waters of the United States is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives. EPA is working to reduce discharges from sewer overflows by obtaining commitments from cities to implement timely, affordable solutions.
The proposed settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. It can be viewed at: http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/city-fort-smith-arkansas-settlement.