A Department of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) report confirms that a fuel leak at Sandyport – the extent of which remains unknown – originated at the Rubis gas station in the gated community. The report, which notes tensions between government workers and the Sandyport property managers office, commends Rubis for the swiftness of its response to reports of that fuel leak, but questions why the leak detection systems failed to immediately catch the spill.

A preliminary report from the DEHS has revealed that a faulty gas dispenser was likely responsible for a fuel leak at Rubis’ Sandyport service station.

The report, penned by Anthony Ryan, public analyst for the DEHS’ Environmental Monitoring and Risk Assessment Division (EMRAD), said that the department is satisfied with the swiftness of Rubis’ response to reports of a fuel leak at the site. However, the report questions why Rubis’ leak detection systems failed to immediately catch the spill. The report highlights that pressure testing on the gasoline pipeline indicated the presence of a fuel leak. Although the extent of the leak remains unknown, reconciliation (wet stock) reports showed less than 0.5 percent loss of product.

“It is clear from the preliminary assessment that the source of oily sheen appears to be the gasoline dispenser pipeline leading from the dispenser to the gasoline tank inland. Additionally, further investigation is needed to ascertain the reason why the Veeder-Root system did not detect product loss.

“DEHS is satisfied that the owner of the fuel oil station reported his concerns of a possible leak to Rubis in a timely manner and we are equally satisfied that Rubis has deactivated systems, mobilized an investigation team and is formulating plans to effectively address the matter,” reads the June 16 report.

The report opines that “aging pipelines” alone had possibly caused the event but stressed that the DEHS and EMRAD would ensure complete remediation and pipeline replacement as it continues to monitor the site.

Addendum

A June 24 addendum to the preliminary report states that another possible cause of the oil sheen on the water’s surface could have been from a past fuel spill at the service station prior to Rubis’ takeover.

Initial possible causes for the spill put forward by the DEHS include: leaking dispenser pipelines; leaking dispenser; leaking pipelines from dispenser to fuel oils storage tanks; fueling practices; discharges from nearby sea craft; runoffs from storm drains and failure of the station’s Veeder-Root system in detecting the leak.

Still, Minister of the Environment Kenred Dorsett previously told Guardian Business that the dispenser had been identified as the source of the leak. Dorsett said that the line feeding the dispenser had remained closed since June 10.

Ryan carried out the inspection after reports of an oily sheen in the marine environment surrounding the Rubis dispenser. Ministry of Works Volatile Inspector Freeman Hanna, Rubis personnel and Quick Welding Bahamas Limited oversaw the initial inspection.

Tensions

However, the report alleges frictions between the government agencies and Sandyport Development Company Limited (SDC) officials, with Ryan stating that the DEHS “did not receive the cooperation” of the Sandyport Property Managers Office.

“A number of calls were made to the DEHS claiming a fuel oil leak at the Sandyport Rubis Service Station. During a site visit on Friday, June 12, 2015, [a] public analyst visited the Sandyport office and met with the property manager. A copy of the storm drain drawings was requested by the public analyst. The property manager was hesitant, then stated that it would be better if he walked the public analyst through the setup of the drains. The analyst reluctantly agreed.

“He was then asked by the property manager to have a seat in the waiting area. The manager then proceeded to go into an office for a few minutes. He then returned and in a very disrespectful manner declared that Monday may be a better day and that he had no time as he had to attend a meeting. The public analyst then left,” the report stated.

The report notes that information was still being sought from SDC with no success. An e-mail from Ryan to SDC President and Director Garth Buckner contained in the addendum stated that the DEHS still required information regarding the area’s storm drains and details surrounding a fuel spill several years prior to Rubis’ acquisition of the station.

The DEHS addendum recommends that SDC help cover the remediation costs likely caused by Rubis’ leak. However, the report does not outline Rubis’ recommended involvement in any future remediation efforts.

Buckner was unavailable for comment.

The way forward

The addendum recommends that both the gasoline and diesel pipelines leading from the dispenser to the various inland tanks be replaced by double walled pipelines with proper fittings; that SDC should accept some responsibility for the oily sheen and share in the cleanup exercise; that all other possible contributory factors to the oily sheen must be fully investigated and that there must be regular monitoring by DEHS and regular updates provided.

Minutes compiled by SDC during a meeting called by Rubis on June 19 revealed that Rubis shut down its pumps after receiving a letter from Buckner on June 10.

Gordon Craig, Rubis Caribbean’s managing director for The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, said that Rubis lines passed pressure testing, but that the company would replace all existing fuel lines, which he expected to take six to eight weeks to complete. At the time, Craig noted that all lines at the station were completely empty.

Craig listed eight different potential sources of hydrocarbons in the area from other businesses and activities and suggested that all sources be stopped. Buckner agreed to stop all car washing activities on the property. Craig has previously denied the presence of a large-scale spill at the site.

However, Dorsett stated last week that investigations into the spill were still in progress.

Dorsett last week stated that bolstered regulations governing the country’s fuel stations would be folded into the Christie administration’s proposed Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP). Although the government intends to introduce a suite of industry reforms through the DPP, environmental critics have already dismissed the proposed department as a “knee-jerk” reaction to the well-publicized outcry surrounding the 2012/2013 spill at Rubis’ Robinson Road service station.