Officials are working to remove jet fuel from a creek before it spills into Tampa Bay.
The Central Florida Pipeline carries jet fuel between Orlando and Tampa. A 10-mile section was shut down after part of the pipeline in the Mango area ruptured Friday night and began sending jet fuel into the water.
In just two days, the fuel spread several miles down a nearby bypass creek that leads into Tampa Bay.
Now the focus is on removing the spilled fuel from the water. Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency are overseeing the progress of the clean-up.
Now investigators from the Environmental Protection Agency are getting involved.
"Right now, I think it's going very well," EPA spokesman Chris Russell said. "Obviously theres a concern because there's a product in the backyard for some of them so we want to make sure we're addressing it. That's why were here to oversee and also give that third-party look for public health and environment."
Large trucks are vacuuming the fuel from the creek and booms are keeping it from spreading.
Unlike the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, no dispersants will be used in the clean-up. Officials said the equipment they have should be sufficient.
Officials: Tests show no problems
So far EPA officials don't believe there are any immediate public health concerns, and air monitoring tests haven't shown any problems.
"All numbers thus far have showed no concerns but we'll continue through until the product is fully removed," Russell said.
The groundwater appears to be safe as well, but local agencies are doing tests and residents are being provided bottled water just in case. Some residents with potable wells are also being offered to relocate.
The EPA said that if any problems are found, they will notify the public quickly.
Officials said they are also working with biologists and Fish and Wildlife officials to ensure birds and fish in the area are protected.
Residents unhappy with official response
Many residents in the area are not happy. They said not only are they concerned about the leak and the strong fuel smell, but no one is telling them what is going on.
Kevin Nevins lives a few yards from the ruptured pipeline. He said he knew there was a problem because of the smell
"We figured it was diesel oil, or maybe tar, somebody was tarring the roof," he said.
The other way he knew was from watching Bay News 9.
"It's Sunday morning and we actually found out more information from you this morning than what we've received from Friday night, Saturday," he said.
Residents are upset that, despite the fact that enough jet fuel to fill four tankers was spilled nearby, there was no notice from officials.
"You would think that they would come down and knock on the doors and let us know, but nobody's done anything," resident Kurt Woodward said.
Most of the homes in this neighborhood use wells, so residents are wondering how this spill could affect groundwater.
Russell said said he knows the smell is causing concern but tests have not shown any groundwater contamination.
"The smell is there, but the science behind it shows that there's not a real public health concern."
Third party blamed for leak
Kinder Morgan, the owner of the pipeline, said a third party is responsible for damaging the line.
Officials said someone may have started digging in the area without permission.
The company won't give a timeline for when the clean-up will be complete. They say they are taking it one day at a tiime.
The U.S. Department of Transportation is investigating the incident to see who will be held responsible.
By
Kristy Wolski, Jonathan Petramala, Team Coverage
Last Updated: Monday, July 25, 2011 5:41 AM
http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2011/july/284362/Clean-up-continues-on-jet-fuel-leak
