Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protectio : Approximately 4,200 Gallon Heating Oil Tank Release to Land, Schuylkill River in Philadelphia County

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Dept. of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol Building
Harrisburg PA., 17120

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is responding to the release of an estimated 4,200-gallon heating oil tank located at 2400 Market Street in Philadelphia. DEP Emergency Response is on location to assess the situation and assist in mitigation of impact.

There remain multiple agencies on scene pursuing mitigation and remediation. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, DEP, Coast Guard and multiple Philadelphia agencies are on location and have devised a plan to deploy absorbent materials to the river and ice. In addition, vacuum trucks will be used to remove product trapped in ice. Clean up is already in progress.

Upon receiving notification of the incident, DEP immediately notified the City Emergency Services, and United States Coast Guard.
There appears to be no additional significant release occurring, however this is still an active situation and the investigation is ongoing.
Based on current assessment, most of the fuel oil appears to have been trapped by the heavy snow, which continues to make site access difficult. Reports indicate that approximately 200 gallons of red dye fuel contained in the ice on the river can be seen from Market Street to Locust St. At this time, there is no oil sheen in open water.

According to initial investigations, the spill migrated from the source location onto nearby CSX Rail property, further onto the Schuylkill River Trail and has entered the Schuylkill River. At this point, because of the accumulation of snow in the area, the path to the river has not been determined. It has not yet been confirmed if the path is the result of an overflow on land, or through a storm sewer.

Downstream water intakes were notified via the Delaware Valley Warning System.