Scott Hughes of ADEM said Thursday a loose or leaking cap on the American Plant Services-operated truck caused the leak on Twin Street July 1. Members of ADEM investigated the site of the spill Tuesday.
“Based on the information we received, our investigation and the clean up work that was done, we are satisfied that there is no threat to human health or environmental impact,” Hughes said.
The spill occurred as the truck transported its load to REEF Environmental Plant. Hughes said the substance being transported came from the Nemak plant in Sylacauga.
“From what we can tell, it was wash water or rinse water that is generated during their cleaning processes,” he said. “I think they use some petroleum-based products to clean engine blocks. That waste water is collected in a containment sump and is pumped out by the collection trucks.”
Employees of American Plant Services performed the clean-up Thursday at the site, Hughes said. He added the workers cleaned the pavement and excavated soil where the spill had collected.
“They did pressure washing and collected the wastewater back into one of their containment trucks,” he said.
He also said no action had been taken against American Plant Services at this time.
Local residents discussed the spill Thursday at a meeting for the group “Preserve Our Environment for Tomorrow.” Larry Trigg of POET said he and others were concerned about what may have been leaked by the truck.
“I found out no one from the EMA, EPA, Hazmat, none of the agencies was contacted,” Trigg said.
Steve Dover of Talladega County EMA said they were not alerted of the spill until a local resident called Tuesday. He said an ADEM representative told him what the spill was and where it came from after he contacted them Wednesday.
“I was told by him this morning, there were no environmental concerns over there, they got the soil cleaned up, washed everything down and got it taken care of,” Dover said. “ADEM was happy with it so I don’t see us going any further with it.”
Hughes said the amount spilled was less than the “reportable quantity” for the substance.
A spokesman for REEF said Thursday the company was not informed of the spill when it happened. He said they did not learn of it until employees saw the clean up going on that day.
Christy Cheatham, corporate administrative support for American Plant Services, stated by e-mail Wednesday the company had “no comments or information in regards to the Twin Street Spill cleanup.”
The Daily Home could not reach anyone at Nemak for comments on the matter.
Contact Matt Quillen at mquillen@dailyhome.com
heres your sign liberals,Boy I bet yall sure think your president is a sell out now huh?Also what would officer allen think about such?HMMMM?
Everything is not a conspiracy, and the world is not revolving around Twin Street. We are not out to "GET YOU".
BTW, I thought I saw on the Sylacauga Smells Facebook page that you and the Mrs. Had both resigned your office with that organization. Your earier post seems to indicate you are still an office holder.
A POET website is a great idea! I want to contribute to POET, but I'm just to busy to go to meetings.