In a September 8th update, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality (TCEQ) stated that the two agencies continue to get updates about the status of specific Superfund sites from the parties responsible for ongoing cleanup of the sites. The TCEQ has completed the assessment of all 17 state Superfund sites in the area affected by Hurricane Harvey. The two agencies reported that there were no major issues noted. The TCEQ will continue to monitor sites to ensure no further action is needed in regard to the storm. It may not have just been Superfund sites that were affected and damaged by Hurricane Harvey. It is also likely that homes and commercial buildings have been impacted by the storm. Those buildings that are damaged would ideally need to take assistance from property damage restoration services for restoring the building back to how it was before the storm. It can be a lengthy and time-consuming process. But seeking professional help would be desirable as one can’t be sure of the length of the damage. Residents whose houses have been damaged, particularly their roofs, should look into a company similar to this roofing austin contractor who will be able to repair or replace any damage to their homes so that they are safe to live in again. Debris carried by storms can also wreak havoc with homeowners’ gutters as it can collect and clog gutters in storms and, if left unaddressed, can build up to become unsightly and potentially cause future issues that may result in property damage. To avoid this, homeowners may want to consider using services like Clean Pro Gutter Cleaning Houston to clean and repair gutters when needed. It is astonishing how much destruction can be done to these sites from a Hurricane like this.
The U.S. EPA completed site assessments at all 43 Superfund sites affected by the storm. Of these sites, two (San Jacinto and U.S. Oil Recovery) require additional assessment efforts. Assessments of these sites will take several more days to complete.
Harris County, Texas Superfund Sites Map
The San Jacinto Waste Pits site has a temporary armored cap designed to prevent migration of hazardous material. The U.S. EPA remedial manager is onsite and overseeing the assessment. Crews continue to survey portions of the cap that are submerged. There are some areas where rock has been displaced and the liner is exposed. The potential responsible party has mobilized heavy equipment and is placing rock on different places on the armored cap to repair the defensive surface. The liner is in place and functional so we don’t have any indication that the underlying waste materials have been exposed. If we find a breach in the exposed liner, we direct the responsible party to collect samples to determine if any materials have been released. Also, the EPA has dive teams to survey the cap underwater if needed.
Work to improve conditions after the storm has continued at the U.S. Oil Recovery site to address flood water from the storm. Nine vacuum truckloads of approximately 45,000 gallons of storm water were removed and shipped offsite for disposal. No sheen or odor was observed in the overflowing water, and an additional tank is being used to maintain freeboard to keep water on-site. The U.S. EPA has directed potential responsible parties or has independently started collecting samples at the 43 Superfund sites to further confirm any impacts from the storm. The total number of Superfund sites increased from 41 to 43 with the addition of Rapides Parish, Louisiana and Waller County, Texas as disaster declared areas. Sampling efforts of all 43 sites is expected to be completed early next week with sample results will be available soon.
