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INLAND
ALTAIR — An investigation remains ongoing into what caused a vacuum truck to rupture while being loaded with nonhazardous wastewater at Inland Environmental Remediation’s Colorado County facility earlier this month.
The incident occurred at approximately 8 a.m. July 7 near the rear of the property as a Tidal Tank vacuum truck was being loaded with wastewater collected from a commercial customer in Altair.
According to Roman Blahoski with Republic Services, a reaction inside the tank caused a rapid increase in pressure, rupturing the truck and releasing approximately 3,000 gallons of liquid into the ground at the property. Blahoski said the area had berms around it, and the liquid did not leave this containment area.
Company officials said the exact cause of the reaction remains under investigation.
Although the liquid release was contained on site, Inland confirmed that a gaseous release occurred when the tank ruptured. No fire resulted from the incident, and officials said the event lasted only a few minutes.
“There was no threat to the public,” Blahoski said in response to questions from the Citizen.
Offic ials said no evacuat ion, shelterin- place order or road closures were necessary. Routine air monitoring was conducted following the incident to ensure the safety of employees and first responders.
Inland said the released liquid did not leave the facility’s containment area, and there is no concern about groundwater contamination because the material remained contained. Cleanup has been completed, and the damaged truck has been removed from the site.
The wastewater had been classified as nonhazardous by the customer. Inland declined to identify the customer or provide a waste profile while the investigation remains active.
Company representatives said the customer is a regular client and reported no previous incidents involv ing similar waste.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the National Response Center were notified following the incident. Inland said it is continuing to work with regulators and the customer to determine what caused the pressure buildup and whether any procedural changes will result from the investigation.
