Nustar Pipeline Release, North Andover Site

In June 2012, a homeowner in the Quail Crossing neighborhood in Andover, Kansas,Installing monitoring wells to track groundwater flow and contaminant migration. reported a strong petroleum odor from his irrigation well while performing routine maintenance. The homeowner contacted NuStar Pipeline Operating Company, LLC (NuStar), who operates a petroleum transportation pipeline that passes approximately 50 feet from the home, located in Colt Court. KDHE received notification of the problem and was present when NuStar representatives confirmed the presence of petroleum products in the well. Analysis of a sample collected from the well showed detections of total petroleum hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds at levels above the federal maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for drinking water and KDHE's Tier 2 Levels for groundwater. Six other nearby irrigation wells were checked with field equipment, and no signs of impact were observed in those wells. NuStar had the sprinkler system for the impacted well connected to the Andover public water supply.

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History

NuStar conducted tests and identified a leak in a section of the pipeline located beneath West Mountain, adjacent to the property of the impacted irrigation well. In July 2012 significant soil impact in a 50-foot section was discovered, and approximately 16 cubic yards of impacted soil was excavated when the pipeline was repaired. Sample results show that soil and groundwater adjacent to the pipeline have been impacted.

Product recovery from the impacted irrigation well continued on a periodic basis during negotiations between the KDHE and NuStar for a Consent Agreement and Final Order. Over 230 gallons of petroleum product were recovered as of October 2013.

After the Consent Agreement and Final Order was executed in May 2013, NuStar began investigating the extent of petroleum contamination in soil and groundwater. The first phase of the work was conducted in July 2013 with expanded efforts continuing into October 2013 to delineate the area of contamination.

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