Oil spill clean up in Derry

Oil Spill Clean up in Derry – The Challenge 

A large housing association contacted us to report a large oil spill clean up in Derry from a single skinned plastic tank that had impacted at least two of their properties. The tank in question had been filled to maximum capacity and during the warmer months had spontaneously rupture along its bottom seam. 

The tenant discovered the leak fairly quickly and was able to capture the severity on his camera phone, the clip showed a wide and violent jet of home heating oil being ejected from the fissure.  Much of the oil remaining oil in the tank was recovered, however approximately 1000 litres were lost.

The Solution

Following instruction Gaea attended and carried out a detailed site investigation on this oil spill clean up in Derry consisting of a drilled borehole survey with on-site soil vapor screening by way of photo-ionization.  The soil vapor survey allowed us to rapidly assess where on the sites the highest concentrations of soil vapors were located, by deduction we can then assess the probability of the presence of oil at each location.  This initial data was then corroborated by a comprehensive hand augering investigation.  This step is critical as it allows us to visually examine the soils themselves and catalog their physical properties. It also allows us to establish the depths the contaminants have migrated to.

Once on-site, our team removed any fences and above ground obstructions, began excavating and controlling any perched groundwaters.  It was deemed prior to the start of any works that the geology and water ingression were too problematic for an in-situ treatment system.  The most pragmatic course of action was established to be the removal of the upper contaminated material, treatment of any perched groundwaters and ingressing waters.  Finally, following continual investigation any hotspots that remained were addressed with intensive in-situ chemical oxidation.

The application of chemical oxidation reagents to the remaining hotspots at an oil spill clean in Derry

Oil Spill Clean up in Derry – The Outcome

Following the excavation phase on this oil spill clean up in Derry, investigations were conducted to locate any on-going risks.  These were addressed as described above and 12 soil samples selected from across the properties.  The samples were sent for independent analysis at independent UKAS accredited laboratories.  Once a satisfactory set of analytical results were obtained the properties proceeded to the reinstatement phase.

Gaea’s in house reinstatement teams then attend the properties and began to professionally bring the sites back to at least the pre-spill standard.

A few improvements were made at the request of the tenants and with the explicit agreement of the housing association.

All the works were carried out within the agreed time frame and costs that had been agreed with the homeowner’s insurer. The client was very happy with our pragmatic, no nonsense, customer focused and efficient approach.  Particularly the fact that we were half the price of the closest rival, despite proposing the same scope.

Less than three week turn around.