Brooke Spill Contents Still a Mystery

W.Va. Department of Environmental Protection still waiting on laboratory analysis

Wheeling Intelligencer
25 October 2010

By Shelley Hanson

WELLSBURG - West Virginia environmental officials expect to soon receive the analysis of a substance that leaked from a truck on about 2 miles of roadway in Wellsburg on Oct. 13.

Kathy Cosco, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman, said Friday the company, Stallion Construction, is required to hire a certified laboratory to conduct the analysis, which then must be forwarded to the DEP.

The spill occurred on a section of W.Va. 27, also known as Washington Pike, between Brady's Ridge Road and W.Va. 2 and was cleaned up by crews hired by Stallion. According to reports, Bob Fowler, Brooke County director of emergency management, said the truck was transporting wastewater from a natural gas well located near West Middletown, Pa. He noted at that time the workers did not wear protective masks during the cleanup, leading him to believe the material may not have contained harmful chemicals.

To reach natural gas, a method of drilling known as hydraulic fracturing uses water and other chemicals to break up the rock.

Cosco said, however, the analysis should reveal whether additional removal of surrounding soil is needed in the area where the spill occurred. She noted she did not know if the substance came from a natural gas drilling site, as it was being moved from a Pennsylvania site to Ohio and was only passing through West Virginia.

"It was an accident. The water didn't get into streams, it remained on the roadway, according to the local EMA,'' Cosco said.

Cosco noted it is typical for companies to have a spill analyzed if the DEP does not suspect any criminal action.

"We're not treating this as a criminal investigation,'' Cosco said. "If we had to sample every substance (spilled) out there, it would be a big burden on the taxpayer. The burden falls on the company.''

Cosco noted when spills occur in West Virginia, EMA officials are required to notify the DEP by calling the spill line - 800-642-3074 - which also can be used by the public. Fowler did call the spill line, according to the DEP, noting about 500 gallons of a substance containing "brine, oil and lubricant'' leaked from a truck on 2 to 2.5 miles of road.

Warren Scott contributed to this report.