Flat Rock Creek Drums

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On September 25, 2024, the EPA received a report from the National Response Center (NRC) regarding abandoned 55-gallon steel drums near Flat Rock Creek in Tulsa, Oklahoma. On September 28, 2024, at 7:30 a.m., an EPA On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) and EPA contractors arrived at the Flat Rock Creek site (Site) to conduct a Removal Site Evaluation (RSE) and an inventory of approximately 109 abandoned 55-gallon steel drums, which were in various damaged and leaking conditions. The drums were found across three dumping sites on private property.

From October 21 to October 25, 2024, EPA and EPA contractors mobilized to the Site and conducted an additional RSE. The team relocated 109 drums into the containment areas and placed a covering over the drums.

The EPA inspected the drums and found them to be in heavily damaged states and containing unknown waste in both solid and liquid forms. The 109 drums were inventoried, contained, and moved into the secondary containment at select dumping sites, as follows:

• Site 1: 34 drums
• Site 2: 40 drums
• Site 3: 35 drums

Approximately 109 drums were inventoried and documented using hazardous categorization (HazCat), which is an approved method of quickly identifying unknown non-hazardous or hazardous materials to ensure they are handled safely and appropriately in the field. This enables EPA to properly determine best practices for removing material from the Site.

Of the 109 drums, 42 drums were determined to contain non-hazardous waste. Contents of the 67 drums containing characteristics of hazardous waste were classified in accordance with federal guidelines to ensure safe handling, transport, management, and disposal.

EPA conducted air monitoring at the Site using various equipment designed to specifically detect oxygen percentage (O2), lower explosive limit (LEL), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Additionally, EPA conducted perimeter air monitoring to ensure there was no off-site impact from the drum waste.

The EPA team found VOCs emanating from the drums and their localized surroundings, but the LEL readings for each drum were below the detection limits of the equipment.

EPA moved all drums into three distinct containment areas. Due to the integrity of the drums and the potential for their contents to leak, visibly damaged or leaking drums were placed inside overpack drums before they were moved into the containment area. Drums not requiring overpacks were placed into poly sleeves. Additionally, EPA placed tarps over each containment area to mitigate weather effects.

During the RSE, no material was observed to have migrated from the Site or into Flat Rock Creek.

EPA is conducting an additional review of the data to assess findings and inform next steps. EPA will continue to coordinate with State, Tribal, and local officials on future cleanup efforts at the Site.