InSite has the capacity to respond to emergency spills with extensive experience gained on a number of major incident response projects. These include tanker rollovers, uncontrolled chemical releases to sewer and stormwater systems, hydrocarbon spills from storage tanks and pipework systems, and a range of urgent responses requiring water and soil remediation.
CASE STUDY: Tanker rollover
InSite responded to an emergency incident following a tanker rollover in Mascot, NSW.
The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning, with InSite's initial response team arriving on site a few hours later. The project involved immediately mobilising personnel, hydrocarbon recovery equipment, vacuum tankers, and earth moving equipment, to the site. The initial hydrocarbon recovery operation included containing and controlling hydrocarbon within stormwater drains, and limiting the impact on a nearby creek and the adjoining wetlands.
Over the following 5 weeks (including night-work to accommodate heavy traffic movements in the area), InSite remediated the contaminated drains, creek and wetlands, to satisfy the requirements of the Clean-Up Notice issued by the NSW EPA. This included the removal of approximately 560 tonnes of hydrocarbon impacted materials.
As part of the remediation works, InSite also constructed a rock lined head-wall surrounding the previously unlined drainage outlet to minimise erosion.
CASE STUDY: 500 kL diesel spill
InSite was engaged to respond to a large diesel spill in excess of 500 kL from a 30 ML fuel storage tank at a heavy industry site south of Perth.
The initial response included recovery of spilled fuel within the bund. Further investigation revealed that diesel had leaked through the bund seal resulting in multiple diesel plumes contaminating groundwater over a 3 hectare area. Since the site was located only 200 m from a sensitive receptor, the InSite operation was escalated to a 24/7 project to immediately initiate a range of recovery strategies.
InSite’s 800 m3/hr skid-mounted vacuum unit was mobilised and connected to a network of over 50 recovery wells to actively skim the spilled fuel. In heavily impacted areas such as the sites soak pits, where the spilled diesel had accumulated, InSite installed diaphragm pumps to recover the fuel.
Once the majority of hydrocarbon had been recovered, InSite installed thirty active skimmers which were periodically monitored and maintained to maximise the recovery efficiency.
CASE STUDY: Petrol leak to sewer line
Petroleum hydrocarbon from a Sydney service station had leaked and impacted a nearby Sydney Water sewer trunk line. The hydrocarbon had pooled in an area where there was a change in pipe flow direction and grade. Ignition (from an unknown source) of fuel vapours had caused an explosion in the sewer line.
InSite provided assistance to Emergency Services to recover bulk fluids from the sewer. This assisted in the placement of a pneumatic plug to dam the line allowing the emergency services to flush the lines and render the area safe.
InSite was then engaged to coordinate the remediation works with the local council, NSW EPA and Sydney Water. This included replacing the asbestos sewer line with a chemically resistant pipe, installation of a cut-off wall of cement-bentonite-geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), and recovering, treating and disposing of accumulated hydrocarbon impacted water.
As part of the make-good works, InSite replaced 100 m2 of concrete service station forecourt, a footpath, pram ramp, and 60 metres of an asphalt laneway with 100 mm thick asphalt pavement.
CASE STUDY: Fatty oil spill goes to ground
InSite was engaged to urgently attend to a site in the Sydney area where a chemical spill of fatty oil had occurred. The release had contaminated concrete and bitumen hardstand areas, an adjacent area of open ground, and a stormwater drainage trough. InSite's initial response was to contain the pollutant and prevent it from flowing into the site broader drainage system and subsequently off site.
Once contained, InSite undertook the clean up of the concrete hardstand using a combination of emulsifiers, hot water pressure washers, and a liquid waste vacuum truck to recover the liquid waste.
Remediation of the impacted open ground required the excavation of soils, initially by hand to determine the presence of underground services within in the works area. During the excavation works, suspected asbestos containing material was identified which required additional environment and safety controls and management practices to be implemented by InSite. Excavation and load-out of this material was completed under InSite’s Class A Asbestos Removal Licence, with backfill to 98% HILF density.
