Miller Chemical: DEP prevents additional runoff after storm
Photo by Clare Becker, Evening Sun
Crews work at the site of Miller Chemical and Fertilizer on June 21.
(Hanover) — Some well-placed tarps and berms, as well as some good luck, prevented Saturday night’s storms from causing additional runoff issues at Miller Chemical and Fertilizer, an environmental official said Sunday.
The Department of Environmental Protection has worked for nearly two weeks to remove contaminated water and soil from the site of the eastern Adams County fertilizer plant, which burned down on June 8.
This weekend, crews focused on preventing forecasted storms from washing additional contaminants left over from the fire into nearby Slagle Run, said DEP spokesman John Repetz.
The group excavated some of the contaminated soil, covered affected areas with tarps and installed berms to control runoff, Repetz said. These efforts, combined with the fact that the area received less than an inch of rain Saturday night, helped prevent further issues at the site.
“We fared quite nicely,” Repetz said. “Anything that was coming off the Miller site was contained to that site.”
DEP is prepared to continue taking such measures every time it rains until the property is completely cleared of contaminants. Repetz did not know Sunday how long that might take.
Read more about the rainfall and its effects on the Miller Chemical site here.
Rain caused headaches for environmental crews during the second week of cleanup at the site when a tank used to hold contaminated water was filled to capacity. DEP has since found solidification and waste water plants to treat that water, in addition to bringing extra tanks to the property.
Because these measures are now in place, Repetz believes DEP is well prepared for any future rainfall.
Storms are expected to hit the area again later this week, according to the National Weather Service in State College.
More…
Miller Chemical: DEP plans to prevent future issues
Miller Chemical: Saturday rainfall adds to runoff
This article comes to us through a partnership between the Evening Sun and WITF.
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