STAFFORD COUNTY—The Environmental Protection Agency continues to monitor and work at the scene of an oil discharge in central Kansas.
On September 12, the Kansas Corporation Commission notified the Environmental Protection Agency of the oil discharge to Rattlesnake Creek in Stafford County, according to Ben Washburn, Public Affairs Officer for EPA Region 7.
On Friday, small amounts of oil were observed up to 4 miles downstream of the spill location, according to Washburn.
The responsible party initially reported 90,000 gallons of brine, salt water generated during oil production, spilled from a disposal well line that transects Rattlesnake creek approximately 0.25 mile east of NE 90th Avenue.
The brine contained an estimated 600 to 700 gallons of oil. An EPA On-Scene Coordinator mobilized to the response on Tuesday evening.
The EPA On Scene Coordinator is working with state and local responders. They pervormed a reconnaissance of Rattlesnake Creek, and observed responsible party containment and recovery operations.
There have been no observed impacts within the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge.
The responsible party placed boom along Rattlesnake Creek to prevent further oil migration.
The disposal well line that was the source of the spill has been isolated and is no longer actively leaking, according to the EPA.
As of Wednesday, responsible party contractors had recovered approximately 160 barrels (6,720 gallons) of mostly brine to date. The responsible party contractors are continuing oil containment and recovery operations under EPA oversight.