Norristown, PA – On Sunday, December 10, 2023, excessive rain carried approximately 200 gallons of used motor oil from a facility near Mill Creek in Penndel Borough into storm drains. These storm drains exit into a tributary of Mill Creek and eventually flow into the Delaware River. A resident reported the incident when they smelled oil in the area and saw it leaking into the stream.
The local fire department and hazmat teams initially responded and placed absorbent materials in the creek to prevent the oil from moving downstream. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) were on the scene as soon as they were notified in order to assess the incident and oversee clean-up activities. DEP worked to ensure the responsible party hired a contractor to place oil absorbing booms and pads along the affected areas to remove the product from the surface water and contaminated debris. The contractor also properly disposed the impacted materials.
Investigators found the used motor oil at the facility was stored in plastic containers that did not have appropriate spill containment. DEP’s investigation into the incident is ongoing. No drinking water in the area was found to be impacted by this incident.
“This incident is an example of how rain water can carry many pollutants into our storm drains and into our waterways,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary, Jessica Shirley. “This oil spill was preventable, and shows how imperative it is for operators to take precautionary measures when dealing with potential pollutants. DEP is continuing to investigate this incident.”
Crews are seeing steady improvement, but cleanup efforts are still underway. DEP will continue to monitor the site as needed until cleanup is completed.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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