EMRAD Sandy Port RUBIS Preliminary Report

PRESENTED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND RISK ASSESSMENT DIVISION (EMRAD) AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (DEHS), MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING

Year 2015 Submitted by: Mr. Anthony Ryan, Public Analyst Approved by: Mr. Dwayne Curtis, Assistant Director

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT & HOUSING DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES (DEHS) ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & RISK ASSESSMENT DIVISION (EMRAD)

Form #2 Ref: DEHS/EMRAD15/2

Fuel oil station Environmental Inspection report P.O. Box SS-19048, NASSAU, THE BAHAMAS. Telephone: 322-2845/326-67295/326-7128 FAX: 323-3863

Please be advised that the purpose of this Report is to provide inspection/assessment results of your facility. Such a form will be issued following a complete inspection/assessment by an environmental health officer. This Report will be completed in collaboration with or forwarded to the Volatile Substance Section at the Ministry of Public Works. The recommendations provided following the inspection/assessment should be carried out within a reasonable time period. Failure to comply will result in penalties that will be provided to you in writing. NOTE: This Assessment was carried out by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS).

Introduction: inspection Specifics Inspection intended for:

Ministry of the Environment and Housing

Facility(s) Inspected:

The Sandy Port Rubis Fuel Oil Station

Location of facility:

Sandy Port

Date(s) of Inspection/Assessment:

Inspection Dates: Friday. June 12, 2015 Inspection Dates: Friday. June 13, 2015 Inspection Dates: Friday. June 15, 2015

Time of Inspection:

Inspection carried out by:

Person(s) present at the Inspection and/or contact person:

3:30 p.m. June 12, 2015 7:00 p.m. June 13, 2015 10:15 a.m. June 15, 2015 Mr. Anthony Ryan, Public Analyst (EMRAD)

  

Mr. Freeman Hanna, Ministry of Public Works Rubis Personnel Quick Welding Bahamas Limited

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Purpose of the Inspection:

Reports oily sheen in the marine environment near a dock where a Dispenser is positioned

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Inspection Results The problem and its possible causes: Possible Cause #3: Leaking pipelines from Dispenser to fuel oil storage tanks

Possible Cause #2: Leaking Dispenser

Possible Cause #1: Leaking Dispenser pipelines

Possible Cause #4: Fueling Practices

The problem Fuel oil sheen on water near a boat fueling dock containing a Dispenser

Possible Cause #5: Discharges from nearby sea vessels

Possible Cause #6: Runoffs from storm drains

Possible Cause #7: Failure of the Veeder Root system

Likely

Unlikely

Not determined

Possible Cause #1: Leaking Dispenser pipelines Possible Cause #2: Leaking Dispenser Possible Cause #3: Leaking pipelines from Dispenser to fuel oils storage tanks Possible Cause #4: Fueling Practices Possible Cause #5: Discharges from nearby sea craft Possible Cause #6: Runoffs from storm drains Possible Cause #7: Failure of the Veeder -Root system This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Discussion Description of the problem Periodically, oily sheen appears in the marine environment near a dock where a fuel oil Dispenser is situated.

Description of the dispenser, pipelines and sump The said Dispenser located near the dock supplies both gasoline and diesel to various sea crafts in need of fuel oils. Leading from this Dispenser are two fuel pipelines, a diesel pipeline and a gasoline pipeline extending inland to two underground fuel storage tanks a diesel and a gasoline tank. Below the dispenser is a sump which serves to capture fuel oils if the Dispenser develops a leak.

Possible causes of fuel oil sheen  Possible Cause #1: Leaking Dispenser Pipelines Pressure testing of the Dispenser pipelines that is the pipelines leading to the sea crafts when fueling is required, showed the absence of a fuel oil leak.  Possible Cause #2: Leaking Dispenser The sump did not contain any petroleum product. Recall that a sump beneath a dispenser is designed to capture fuel oils in the event a dispenser develops a leak. 

Possible Cause #3: Leaking pipelines from the Dispenser to fuel oils storage tanks inland The diesel pipeline was pressure tested and indicated the absence of a fuel oil leak The gasoline pipeline was pressure tested and indicated the presence of a fuel oil leak  Possible Cause #4: Fueling Practices Often times when fueling sea crafts, overfilling of these crafts may results in discharges into the marine environment.

Possible Cause #5: Discharges from nearby sea craft The activities carried out on nearby sea crafts may contribute to oily sheen on the sea water surface

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Possible Cause #6: Runoffs from storm drains It was the DEHS/EMRAD investigator’s intent to ascertain whether runoffs from storm drains may be a contributory factor to the oily sheen seen in the marine environment. Oftentimes storm drain run-offs contain a degree of oily discharges from various sources. However DEHS did not receive the cooperation from the Sandy Port Property Managers Office. The details are as follows: A number of calls were made to the DEHS claiming a fuel oil leak at the Sandy Port Rubis Service Station. During a site visit on Friday, June 12, 2015, Public Analyst visited the Sandy Port Office and met with the Property Manager. A copy of the storm drain drawings was requested by the Pubic Analyst. The Property Manager hesitant then stated that it would be better if he walked the Public Analyst through the setup of the drains. The Analyst reluctantly agreed. He was then asked by the Property Manager to have a seat in the waiting area. The Manager then proceeded to go into an office for a few minutes. He then returned and in a very disrespectful manner declared that Monday may be a better day and that he had no time as he had to attend a meeting. The Public Analyst then left.

Possible Cause #7: Failure of the Veeder -Root system Veeder-Root systems are often set up to warn of possible leaks and according to sources the warning was not given.

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Conclusion It is clear from the preliminary assessment that the source of oily sheen appears to be the gasoline dispenser pipeline leading from the Dispenser to the gasoline tank inland. Additionally further investigation is needed to ascertain the reason why the Veeder-Root system did not detect product loss.

DEHS is satisfied that the owner of the fuel oil station reported his concerns of a possible leak to Rubis in a timely manner and we are equally satisfied that Rubis has deactivated systems, mobilized an investigation team and is formulating plans to effectively address the matter. Plans that will be reviewed by DEHS and will require approval before enacted.

Presently the service station remains in operation but the Dispenser in question and the pipelines have been closed. This is an unfortunate event possibly caused only by aging pipelines.

DEHS/EMRAD will ensure full cleanup, pipeline replacement and any other activity that ensures environmental health.

Investigation and monitoring by DEHS continues.

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Recommendations 1. Both the gasoline and diesel pipelines leading from the dispenser to the various inland tanks should be replaced by double walled pipelines with proper fittings.

2. All other possible contributory factors to the oily sheen must be fully investigated.

3. There must be regular monitoring by DEHS and regular updates provided.

4. Steps must be taken to eliminate the lack of cooperation received by government regulators as this serves as a major impediment to successful and timely outcomes. ________________________________________________________________________________ CERTIFICATION: This document certifies that the inspection/assessment was carried out by a qualified health officer at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS). Note that such an inspection is approved by the Director of DEHS. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY DEHS work plan approval #: _____________________

Inspection Officer’s signature __16___/__06_/_2015____

(for) Director

Date Issued

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Dispenser in question

Checking for leaks under the dispenser

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Dispenser sump

Pressure testing gauge

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Veeder-Root System gauges

Sea craft which may possibly contribute to oily sheen

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited

Dock where sheen is seen

This form has been issued by the Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD) at the Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS), any reproduction or duplication of this form is prohibited