Tracking a Chemical Spill on the Potomac River
Tackling water pollution problems is tough. It’s easy to find fault with incomplete and imperfect water quality monitoring and response efforts, but isn’t it better to find ways to improve the systems intended to protect our vital water resources?
At Water Reporter we focus promote positive actions anyone can take to participate in the protection and restoration of our waterways. For instance, with Water Reporter, observations can complement or document monitoring activities.
Government agencies and NGOs have created monitoring systems to collect pollutant level data in water bodies. That data informs policy decisions, management strategies, and restoration efforts. Formal monitoring efforts provide critical but limited data. Reporting hotlines for pollution observations exist because sharing even casual observations can inform gaps in formal monitoring efforts. Input from an observant individual can provide valuable data to complement and improve the health of our waterways. The Water Reporter posting process is unparalleled in collecting and compiling useful information for river health.
Tracking a chemical spill
Take the case of when nearly 10,000 gallons of synthetic latex spilled from a tanker at the Verso Mill in Luke, Maryland into the North Branch of the Potomac River. The spilled chemicals flowed straight towards Washington, DC. The company at fault contacted the appropriate authorities immediately and experts at the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) sprung into action.
MDE tested the contaminated water for toxic levels of chemical concentrations. They used a model developed by ICPRB to predict the rate of flow of chemicals downstream and determine where and when risks would arise. The predictions of that model were critical to their action plan.
While MDE monitored the water, a milky, green color reminiscent of pea soup broadcast the location of the drifting chemicals. Bad for the water, yes — but a great visual indicator for casual observers that something might be wrong.
Following the flow in real time
Brent Walls, the Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, followed the flow of chemicals down river and recorded the progress pea soup with Water Reporter’s geo-location report feature. Brent compared the official predicted transport times provided by the ICPRB to what he observed. The findings were eye opening.
The chemicals flowed two days faster than predicted. His observations revealed that the model didn’t take into account recent rains or dam releases from the Savage River dam. This information will improve future river contamination flow predictions.
In the case of the Verso Mill Latex spill, the chemicals dissipated throughout the water column and downstream fast enough to be harmless to the flora, fauna, and communities on the Potomac River. Swift action and continued observation keeps a high confidence by the public in the agency’s ability to keep their water safe.
Casting a wider data net informs better modeling
Together, the quantitative data collected by the state and the observations documented by Brent Walls led to an improved flow prediction model. Brent’s use of Water Reporter provided vital visualizations of the spill that otherwise would have gone undocumented. His observations will improve predictions and responses for any future contaminations on the river.
Become a Water Reporter Observer
Everyone who joins the Water Reporter community can play a role in documenting the health of waterways by sharing observations in their watersheds. Images of catastrophic events in real time are just one of the countless types of reports that help inform management decisions on our waterways. Become an advocate for your waterway with Water Reporter. Check out the Water Reporter website or visit iTunes or Google Play to join and then head outdoors to share your experiences to work towards healthy waterways for everyone.
