BATAVIA, Ohio (Aug. 19, 2014) –Clermont County Water Resources Department has implemented a contingency plan in response to the 4,000-8,000 gallon diesel spill late at night on Aug. 18 into the Ohio River at the Duke Energy W.C. Beckjord Station.
The Water Resources Department has shut down some wells in the Pierce-Union-Batavia well fields that had the most potential to be affected by the spill, said Lyle Bloom, Director of Utilities at the Water Resources Department. It is operating only wells that have no potential to be impacted by the spill, Bloom said.
“This is a precautionary measure,” said Bloom. “We do not expect the well field to be impacted by the diesel spill. The diesel fuel will remain along the water surface and should not adversely impact the aquifer.”
According to Duke Energy, at about 11:15 p.m. Monday, during a routine transfer of fuel oil at the Beckjord Station, several thousand gallons of fuel were inadvertently discharged into the Ohio River. The release was stopped by 11:30 p.m., Duke said.
Local, state and environmental agencies, along with the Coast Guard were promptly notified. Northern Kentucky Water District and Greater Cincinnati Water Works also were notified to take appropriate action, Duke said.
Beckjord Station is located in Clermont County, approximately 20 miles east of Cincinnati.
For more information, email Assistant Water Resources Director Mark Day at mday@clermontcountyohio.gov or call him at 513-732-7945.
