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Riverview Ammonia Leak's Effect On Environment Evaluated

Michael Spooneybarger / The Tampa Tribune

Crews spray water in an attempt to contain a toxic plume of ammonia gas leaking from a pipeline over the Alafia River. Stopping the leak has proved difficult because workers can't go closer than 15 feet from the hole.

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By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2007

Updated: 11/13/2007 05:34 pm

Video: Ammonia Leak Is Suspicous | Schools Closed

More Information: Map Of The Area
Ammonia - Emergency Preparedness & Response

RIVERVIEW – Authorities are evaluating the damage Monday night's ammonia leak may do to the environment.

The Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County has collected water samples downstream from the leak and lab results are expected late this afternoon, said Alain Watson of the agency's Air Management Division.

Investigators are looking for any sign of environmental damage, including vegetative burn or fish kills. "Ammonia is like nitrogen. It's like dumping fertilizer into the water," Watson said.

Once the leak is eliminated, the EPC will collect additional water samples closer to the site, he said. "Our real work begins tomorrow," Watson said.

In the meantime, authorities say residents do not need to be concerned with the drinking water quality because the intake valve is located upstream of the leak.

The dangerous ammonia cloud that forced hundreds to flee last night continues to escape from the pipeline, more than 12 hours after a 16-year-old boy drilled a hole.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue crews are using five jets of water to create a protective envelope around the gas cloud to keep it from growing, but division chief Craig Lynn said they are hindered in stopping the leak because the hole is so small. Crews can't get any closer to it than about 15 feet.

"You can't visualize it," Lynn said. "There's so much product coming out."

A drill used by the teen, who suffered burns to his upper body, was still lying next to the pipe when crews first arrived, as well as some personal belongings, Lynn said. The leak began when the drill bit burst through the six-inch pipe.

"It was pure liquid ammonia," he said. "Right now, we can walk up to it because we're upwind. But if you were downwind, you would die."

The teen, whose name has not been released, ran home after being burned, Lynn said. That's where fire rescue first responded and learned of the leak just before 7 p.m. Monday.

"Ammonia draws moisture right out of the skin," Lynn said. "It was, I'm told, at least negative 25 degrees."

The incident is the largest of its kind since a man was accused of tapping an ammonia pipe to create methamphetamine near FishHawk Ranch in July 2003, Lynn said. Fire rescue crews worked 36 hours straight that time. They have called in overtime crews to cover today's ammonia leak and other emergency calls.

Several other agencies, including the Environmental Protection Commission, the Florida Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard and private contractors, are involved in the cleanup, Lynn said.

To stop the leak, crews are welding another pipe over the leaking one and will use a valve to stop it, but officials say it could be another 24 hours before the remaining ammonia vapors disperse.

"This is a major deal for a little problem," Lynn said.

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