The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, L.P, from Texas, has confirmed that a pipeline failure resulted in 8,000 gallons of jet fuel being spilled into the St. Marys River in the northeastern Indiana city of Decatur. The Houston-based pipeline company had shut down the line immediately after the pressure problem that caused the spill was detected, sources close to the matter stated.
According to reports, the company is investigating the failure and its Emergency Response Team was redressing any potential environmental impacts and cleaning the area. The pipeline will remain closed until it is fixed and considered safe to return to service.
The Decatur Police Department has issued a safety warning to the residents in Decatur to avoid the Monmouth Road in the area of Riverview Bar as the reported fuel leakage was in the south of that area, sources further informed. Also, warnings are also issued to people living along the St. Marys River advising them not to smoke or use open flames near the river.
Records show that a community of around 9,500 people resides around the affected area of St. Marys River in Decatur. Apparently, a plan to boom the river at W 900 N in Adams County and at the Allen County line could stop the spread of the leak.
John August, Adams County EMA Director, claimed that the spill would not be hazardous for the nearby residents and the well water used for drinking would not be affected. He further stated that the Environmental Protection Agency had come from Indianapolis to check the town’s air quality.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stated that it is monitoring air as well as water quality at multiple locations in neighborhoods and businesses near the river. Kenneth L. Meyer, Mayor of Decatur, suggested that cleaning of the river could take weeks.
For the record, Buckeye Pipe Line Company is one of the major distributors of petroleum in the United States. It manages over 6,200 miles of petroleum pipelines and also supplies aviation fuel to major airports in New York City.