Tennessee Valley Authority
Kingston Ash Release
Weekly Progress Highlights
Each week, a status report is compiled to document the progress of the Kingston recovery effort. Highlights of those reports are presented below along with a link to the week's complete report in a PDF format. For faster viewing, a specific week can be chosen below:
Week Ending November 15, 2009
- Cumulatively, just over 1,922,559 cubic yards of ash have been removed from the river and east of Dike 2.
- Have loaded and transported 97 unit trains to date for a total of approximately 866,050 tons.
- Approval to begin the final phase of the east embayment cleanup was received.
- Held Availability Session with EPA and TDEC for Roane County community.
- Met with the Community Advisory Group to negotiate the Technical Assistance Plan and agreement.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 80,127 |
1,940,559 |
| Air Samples Taken (Through October 4) | 133,273 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 19,356 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending November 8, 2009
- No OSHA reportable injuries this week.
- Cumulatively, just over 1,844,000 cubic yards of ash have been removed from the river and east of Dike 2.
- Submitted the Draft of Revision 4 of the Site Wide Safety and Health Plan to EPA for review.
- Have loaded and transported 91 unit trains to date for a total of approximately 809,450 tons.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 95,621 |
1,844,044 |
| Air Samples Taken (Through October 4) | 129,840 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 17,969 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending November 1, 2009
- An EPA safety audit was completed last week and overall feedback from the audit team was positive.
- Cumulatively, just over 1,748,400 cubic yards of ash have been removed from the river and east of Dike 2.
- Eighty-five (85) unit trains have left the site; approximately 754,100 tons of ash has been disposed of offsite.
- Contract bids for the offsite utility repair contract are due November 6, 2009 with an award projected before December 3rd.
- Submitted the revised Technical Assistance Plan.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 134,656 |
1,748,423 |
| Air Samples Taken (Through October 4) | 124,243 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 17,891 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending October 25, 2009
- There were no injuries or reportable releases this week.
- Cumulatively 1,617,575 cubic yards of ash have been removed from the river.
- Eighty-one unit trains have left the site; approximately 717,600 tons of ash has been disposed of offsite. Crews
began using polymer on train cars of ash to absorb water generated during transport. - A new 20” dredge was put into service replacing the existing one.
- A pre-bid meeting for the offsite utility repair contract was held on October 23rd.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 100,280 |
1,617,817 |
| Air Samples Taken (Through October 4) | 121,643 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 17,015 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending October 18, 2009
- One first aid incident occurred when a laborer scraped his arm while working on the new trailer complex.
- A Reportable Environmental Event (REE) occurred at the south dock when an estimated one quart of petroleum was released from the TVA 14” dredge during its transfer from the river to the ash pond.
- Total removal of time-critical ash from east of Dike 2 is approximately 1,505,000 cy.
- Total ash shipped to off-site disposal remained at 687,766 tons.
- Continuous rain throughout the week significantly impacted all recovery operations.
- River dredging operations resumed on Monday following suspension of operations on October 8th due to Free Water
Volume concerns in the ash pond.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 68,607 |
1,504,833 |
| Air Samples Taken (Through October 4) | 116,925 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 16,405 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending October 11, 2009
- There were no safety incidents for the week.
- Moved 33,000 cy of ash from east of Dike 2.
- Issued the RFP for the offsite utility restoration effort.
- Increased the effort in cleaning out the rim ditch/sluice trench/ash pond. Are evaluating options for removing fines from the system that are hard to handle.
- Removed about 51,000 cy of ash by dredging through October 7th.
- Suspended river dredging at 11:15 on October 8th due to ash deposition in the settling pond and the corresponding reduction in Free Water Volume in the pond. The NPDES permit has a requirement to maintain a water volume of 102 million in total in both the settling pond and the stilling pond.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 84,307 |
1,436,219 |
| Air Samples Taken | 116,925 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 16,421 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending October 4, 2009
- Moved just over 42,000 cy of ash east of Dike 2 to storage or rail cars.
- Dredged over 73,000 cy of ash from the river through October 2nd.
- Loaded and transported over 41,000 tons of ash.
- A data quality objectives workshop was held October 1st with the regulatory agencies to scope out future investigations in the river.
- A public meeting was held October 1st to inform the public of activities to date.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 115,403 |
1,405,811 |
| Air Samples Taken | 112,056 |
|
| Surface/Utility Water Samples Taken | 16,228 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending September 27, 2009
- Moved 23,900 cy of ash east of Dike 2 to wet staging areas.
- Dredged 53,682 cy of ash from the River from September 21 to September 27.
- Moved 11,690 tons of ash this week to Alabama.
- The community Action Group (CAG) met with EPA and TVA this week.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Total Ash Removed (Cubic Yards) | 77,582 |
1,301,447 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3.138 |
110,456 |
| Water Samples Taken | 100 |
2,757 |
Note: Effective with this report, the ash information above includes all ash removed. Please see the complete report for more information.
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending September 20, 2009
- Considerable rain fell beginning September 15th and continued through the week. Flood stage was not
reached in the Emory. - Moved approximately 40,000 cy of ash from September 14-20 east of Dike 2.
- Dredged 62,214 cy of ash from September 7-13 from the Emory River.
- Moved 4 unit trains offsite for approximately 39,560 tons of ash.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 62,214 |
624,231 |
| Air Samples Taken | 4,232 |
107,318 |
| Water Samples Taken | 72 |
2,657 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending September 13, 2009
- Moved over 35,000 cy of ash from east of Dike 2 to west of Dike 2.
- Received approval to stage/process wet ash west of Dike 2.
- Current dredge positioning is requiring the bathymetric survey to be performed 3 to 5 days after excavation. This week’s dredged volumes will be reported next week. This will develop a one week lag to allow only surveyed numbers to be reported.
- Contingency plans have been put in place to support dredging.
- Transported 7 trains and 70,800 tons of ash offsite.
- Routine sampling results continue to meet all expectations.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | Next Week |
604,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,007 |
105,713 |
| Water Samples Taken | 50 |
2,534 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending September 6, 2009
- Excavated just under 40,000 cy of ash east of Dike 2 to storage areas west of Dike 2.
- Loaded and moved 7 unit trains this week for a total of 54 trains to date. Sent two 110-car trains.
- Bureau of Reclamation, TVA, TDEC, and contractors met to discuss buttressing Dike C. Agreements were reached on elements of the design.
- Transitioning to new air sampling contractor continues.
- Dredged approximately 43,900 cy from the river.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 43,940 |
604,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,011 |
102,706 |
| Water Samples Taken | 50 |
2,534 |
View Complete Report (PDF)511800+
Week Ending August 30, 2009
- About 34,200 cy of ash were removed east of Dike 2.
- Improvements to dredging production were significant later in the week.
- Transported over 60,000 tons of ash offsite.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 49,330 |
560,130 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,110 |
99,695 |
| Water Samples Taken | 49 |
2,484 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending August 23, 2009
- Construction was completed on the clean water ditch system in Swan Pond Embayment west of Swan Pond Circle Road. Now all water either bypasses the ash or is treated in the settling basins.
- Moved approximately 24,200 cy of ash east of Dike 2 to storage areas west of Dike 2.
- Dredged over 28,000 cy for August 17-20 from the river.
- Loaded and transported over 53,000 tons of ash (6 trains) from the site.
- No safety incidents to report this week.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 28,266 |
511,800 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,342 |
96,585 |
| Water Samples Taken | 76 |
2,435 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending August 16, 2009
- Moved approximately 20,000 cy of ash from east of dike 2 to site storage areas.
- Began 24-hr dredging operation again. Contractor evaluating ways to improve production. Approximately 10,000 cubic yards removed.
- Completed demobilization of TransAsh.
- Loaded and transported 6 unit trains (about 53,000 tons).
- Shaw Environmental has been released to take over air monitoring.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 10,435 |
483,581 |
| Air Samples Taken | 5,512 |
93,243 |
| Water Samples Taken | 78 |
2,359 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending August 9, 2009
- Moved approximately 21,000 cy of ash from east of Dike 2.
- Completed installation of the 1,800 feet of sheet piling along the rim ditch and of the sheet pile weirs.
- Restarted river dredging. Volumes will be estimated based on bathymetric survey information from now on and will be reported behind the weekly schedule.
- Completed baseline bathymetric survey.
- Loaded and moved 7 unit trains (roughly 63,000 tons of ash).
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 0 |
473,146 |
| Air Samples Taken | 4,620 |
87,731 |
| Water Samples Taken | 84 |
2,281 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending August 2, 2009
- The clean water ditch in the east embayment was completed.
- Moved 13,000 cubic yards of ash from east of Dike 2 to the ash loading area.
- Began installation of sheet piling along rim ditch to stabilize the shore as well as weirs in the ditch to control hydraulics.
- Continued major dredging mobilization activity.
Transported approximately 43,000 cubic yards of ash offsite.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 0 |
473,146 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,962 |
83,111 |
| Water Samples Taken | 68 |
2,197 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending July 26, 2009
- Moved just under 15,000 cubic yards of ash from east of Dike 2 to disposal or storage areas.
- Suspended dredging activities to begin Rim Ditch Stabilization activities. Removed about 3,000 cubic
yards of ash prior to suspension. - First of two new large river dredges was placed in the water while the second arrived by water.
- Loaded and moved five 85-car trains this week. Landfill unloaded 44,200 tons of ash.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 3,018 |
473,146 |
| Air Samples Taken | 2,974 |
79,148 |
| Water Samples Taken | 69 |
2,129 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
View Associated Pictures (PDF)
Week Ending July 19, 2009
- Began moving ash out of the East Embayment to the new storage area West of Dike 2.
- Developed the design necessary to stabilize the rim ditch.
- Removed approximately 52,300cubic yards of ash from the River.
- Moved five 85-car trains to Alabama.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 52,276 |
470,128 |
| Air Samples Taken | 4,827 |
76,174 |
| Water Samples Taken | 98 |
2,060 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending July 12, 2009
- Removed over 60,000 cubic yards of ash from the river via dredging.
- Removed over 22,000 cubic yards east of Dike 2.
- Began preparing a new approved temporary storage area west of Dike 2.
- Shipped approximately 34,000 tons of ash via rail offsite.
- TSS levels in the discharge from the embayment have dropped from 600-9000 mg/L to around 10 mg/L since the settling basins were put in operation last week.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 60,353 |
417,852 |
| Air Samples Taken | 5,718 |
71,347 |
| Water Samples Taken | 76 |
1,962 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending July 5, 2009
- Moved roughly 26,000 cubic yards of ash east of Dike 2 to the ash storage area.
- The clean water ditch is now open to the river.
- Gave a notice to proceed to Sevenson Environmental Services to dredge ash out of the river long-term.
- Removed nearly 38,000 cubic yards from the river by both hydraulic and mechanical dredging.
- Loaded and sent out two unit trains of ash to Alabama for disposal.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 37,694 |
357,499 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,696 |
65,545 |
| Water Samples Taken | 74 |
1,886 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending June 28, 2009
- Moved just under 32,000 cubic yards of ash east of Dike 2 to the ash processing area.
- Dredged 58,700 cubic yards of ash from the river. For six days of operation, generation just over 15,000 cubic yards of ash a day from both operations.
- eld a scoping workshop with regulatory agencies to define the path forward for making non-time critical removal actions decisions.
- ork zones are being delineated and support services being put in place to allow the site to be operated as a Hazwoper site next week.
- Held a public meeting on June 23rd to listen to public concerns.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 58,692 |
327,692 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,845 |
61,933 |
| Water Samples Taken | 95 |
1,812 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending June 21, 2009
- Significant progress has been made in constructing the clean water ditch.
- Moved 30,000 cubic yards of ash from east of Dike 2 to the ash processing area.
- Removed approximately 39,000 cubic yards of ash from the river. Between both ash removal activities, just under 10,000 cubic yards of ash a day has been removed.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 39,000 |
269,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 4,380 |
58,092 |
| Water Samples Taken | 95 |
1,717 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending June 14, 2009
- Moved approximately 11,000 cubic yards of dry ash east of Dike 2 onto the ash processing area.
- Dredged approximately 24,000 cubic yards of ash from the river.
- All field activities to assess the Dike C stability are complete.
- Railroad spur Track #2 is complete as is the turnout off the main rail.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 24,200 |
230,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 3,095 |
53,712 |
| Water Samples Taken | 88 |
1,622 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending June 7, 2009
- Working extended hours and re-evaluating the engineering design on the interim drainage system to expedite completion of this work.
- Dredged approximately 23,600 cubic yards of river ash and 2,000 cubic yards of pond ash.
- Letters of intent to award were issued to loading, transportation, and disposal contractors.
- Repair of the riprap along Dike C was completed.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 23,600 |
199,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 2,301 |
50,617 |
| Water Samples Taken | 65 |
1,534 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending May 31, 2009
- Recovered just under 20,000 cubic yards of ash from the river.
- TVA 14” dredge is undergoing preparation for movement to the river.
- Track #2 (rail spur) is complete up to the guard shack.
- Best and final offers received and evaluated for loading and disposal.
- Tree removal and hole repair on Dike C completed. Stability analysis results for Dike C presented with a safety factor of 1.45.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 19,500 |
176,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 2,398 |
48,188 |
| Water Samples Taken | 62 |
1,469 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending May 24, 2009
- The ash stilling pond dredging was initiated and approximately 3,000 cubic yards removed.
- Held a briefing on the root cause analysis for the TDEC technical team on May 21st in Nashville.
- About 18,000 cubic yards of river ash was removed from the Emory River.
- Received EPA approval on 5 minor work plans; rail spur, rail car offloading, barge area offload, ash movement east of Dike 2, and movement of yellow dredge.
- Submitted draft safety and health plan and time critical removal action memorandum to EPA.
- Work progressing on schedule on the rail spur construction. Nearly 800 feet of rail and ties have been positioned for installation.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 17,900 |
156,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 2,123 |
45,918 |
| Water Samples Taken | 59 |
1,407 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending May 17, 2009
- Completed bathymetric survey on the Emory River. Results are undergoing review and will be available the week of May 18th.
- First draft of the dredging time critical action memorandum completed.
- Queen City mobilized to site and began rail spur construction.
- All rail transportation tests completed successfully with offloading of rail cars at disposal sites this week.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 14,000 |
138,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 1,370 |
43,795 |
| Water Samples Taken | 42 |
1,288 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Week Ending May 10, 2009
- The wet weather slowed activities on the Storm Water Management system.
- 5-year flood on the Emory River released cenospheres that were entrained with upstream debris. Extra equipment and staff were brought on board to support downstream river cleanup.
- The high water damaged river equipment and limited river dredging quantities to 4,000 cubic yards.
- Another 12,000 cubic yards was removed from the Ash Pond.
- A land and rail transportation test was held under a variety of weather conditions. Much was learned about ash containment needs in the rail cars.
- The design of the rail spur began and is nearly complete.
- Community interviews began by interviewing elected officials this week.
| Key Statistics | This Week | Cumulative |
| Ash Dredged From River (Cubic Yards) | 4,334 |
106,000 |
| Air Samples Taken | 1,940 |
42,425 |
| Water Samples Taken | 42 |
1,288 |
View Complete Report (PDF)
Document Updated November 17, 2009 9:23 AM