The South Platte River is the main water source for northeastern Colorado and the Denver area and due to the recent oil spill at Suncor Refinery, recent tests show that benzene levels are at 48 times the limit for drinking water. Benzene is a chemical found in crude oil that is classified as cancer causing, affecting blood in particular.
State regulators are working with Suncor to block the toxic levels of benzene from entering the bed of Sand Creek. Regulation efforts favor construction of underground clay walls at the creek and the refinery to try to block the benzene before it spreads. In addition cleanup efforts will include vapor-extraction systems to remove benzene from the soil and pumping of contaminated ground water.
Attempting to identify the cause of the leak, refinery crews are excavating water pipelines and have not found any broken pipes. The working theory is that permeation of hydrocarbons through plastic pipe instigated the leak.
Suncor will build an intricate system of clay trenches and walls to protect the waterway. We will be sure to keep you all posted as the cleanup effort moves forward.
Tight Lines,
Tyler Bowman
The Flyfisher Group
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