No Fire Alert Continues During Fuel Spill Clean Up

THE Upper Hunter Shire Council has again issued a warning to residents in between the Kelly St and Mount St intersection, to the Bill Rose Sports Complex, Scone not to light any fires or have any potential ignition sources in the open, as they managed a fuel leak which was detected on Thursday afternoon (HAZMAT Called to Scone Sewerage Treatment Plant).

Council map of areas impacted by the fuel leak, where a no fire alert is in place.

Council have advised the no fire alert is precautionary measure and if there was an unacceptable level of risk they would have been evacuated.

Fire and Rescue NSW monitored the fuel gas levels and by Friday at 5:30pm advised the gas levels had dropped to a safe level. 

Council has continued monitoring, flushing and ventilation and tests at 7am this morning showed the fuel gas levels have dropped further. 

Once fuel gas levels are low enough, Council will inspect sewer pipes with cameras under Kelly Street to assess the condition of the pipes and if required make repairs or replace sections of the pipes to minimise any infiltration of the fuel and advise when no further fuel is entering the sewer network and lift the no fire alert.

Due to forced ventilation of the sewer lines with industrial extractor fans, residents may notice more sewerage smell near ventilation points and Council apologises for any inconvenience.

Council outlined the following:

Thursday, April 16:

• At 1pm the smell of fuel was detected in the sewer system at Aberdeen Street and Fire and Rescue NSW were called. Residents in the area were notified by doorknocking. 
• In the evening flushing of the sewer lines began and roads in the area were reopened. 
• No damage to the sewerage treatment plant has occurred.
• No irrigation from the plant will occur until tests of the water are clear.
• Once the fuel is outside the pipes, it dissipates quickly into the atmosphere

Friday, April 17:

• In the morning fuel was still present in the sewer lines despite flushing overnight.
• In the afternoon fuel storage tanks at the BP service station were pumped and emptied out.
• Residual fuel may continue to enter the sewer system from the ground surrounding the sewer pipes.
• Industrial extractor fans are ventilating the sewer pipes to prevent gas build up.
• If required the pipes may be flushed again.
• 5:30pm: measurements of the fuel gas were determined to have dropped to a safe level.

Saturday, April 18:

• 7am: Fuel gas levels have dropped further.

Related stories:

• Council Warns No Naked Flames – April 17, 2020
• Clean Up Underway – April 17, 2020
• HAZMAT Called to Scone Sewerage Treatment Plant  – April 16, 2020
• Fire Crews Investigating As BP As Fuel Source Spill – April 16, 2020