Lake Pepin Emergency Spill Response
Fuel and oil spills present immediate dangers and can leave lasting impacts on the environment. These incidents must be acted upon by professionals who provide a fast response and are knowledgeable in emergency ecological assessments.
Pinnacle Engineering responds to incidents 24/7, guiding through site analysis, investigation, and clean-up efforts while providing regulatory representation. Our assessments and testing encompass a wide variety of factors to analyze the extent of environmental contamination.
Environmental Challenge
A client contacted Pinnacle Engineering after 1,500 gallons of diesel fuel were released within 70 feet of Lake Pepin and the Mississippi River. As a result of the spill, fuel infiltrated the ground and impacted the shallow water table. The location of the spill was in a rail track bed, which further complicated remediation.
Emergency Response & Remediation Solutions
Emergency spill response is time-sensitive due to the speed at which contaminants can penetrate the soil and pollute groundwater and nearby natural resources. Pinnacle Engineering’s team arrived on site with a vac truck within two hours of the release. We immediately started soil vapor removal to extract the pooled fuel and prevent further penetration into the soil. The vac truck allowed us to address the spill without having to pull up portions of the rail track.
Removing pooled fuel was the first and most urgent step in remediation efforts. The second phase of cleanup involved removing contaminated soil located above the water table to prevent pollution.
Analysis & Results
As a result of our team’s quick response, we were successful in recovering all of the pooled fuel from the spill site. Within 50 days of the initial spill response and containment phase, a preliminary investigation was completed and an interim corrective action, consisting of an air sparge/soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) system was initiated. The system operated for nine months, reducing the impacts to the soil by approximately 90%, removing LNAPL, and reducing impacts to groundwater in the source well to nearly undetectable levels within two years.
Our goal is to continue to build upon our reputation of delivering high-quality services, maintaining open and responsive communications, and providing cost-effective solutions that consistently meet our clients’ needs.
Comprehensive Incident Response & Regulatory Support
No challenge is too great when you have a trusted partner guiding you every step of the way. We support all markets with emergency response, compliance, data collection, engineering and permitting, and inspection and analysis. As a regional regulatory representative and extension of your engineering team, we help you navigate environmental challenges.
Pinnacle’s approach is not like most consultants; they work with our company’s best interests in mind and propose cost and time-effective remedies over remedies that are more financially beneficial to themselves. This has also built a tremendous level of trust that makes working together that much easier.
Environmental Engineer - Oil & Gas Client
Pinnacle is very responsive to requests. They have not missed a deadline on any service thus far. They seem willing to go the extra mile when asked for input on potential projects.
Environmental Manager - Oil & Gas Client
Pinnacle is local and able to respond quickly. In addition to being a subject matter experts, they can take the lead with little input needed from me to do so. Pinnacle is professional, knowledgeable, and customer service oriented. They are dependable and are respected and known within the local regulatory world.
Environmental Response Manager - Oil & Gas Client
Pinnacle is key to our company’s operations in my area of responsibility. Honestly, there is not another professional contractor that works any harder for us than the staff at Pinnacle Eng. If they can’t do it in-house, they know someone that can. They are “Problem Solvers” at the highest level.
Manager, Midwest Operations - Oil & Gas Client
I worked closely with Pinnacle at a previous role and then incorporated their services when I moved companies. I am a huge fan of the company. They are down to earth and incredible to work with. Their portfolio is extensive and the staff they have are all amazing to work with. I am grateful to partner with them in each of my roles.
Environmental Manager - Aerospace Manufacturing
I work with Pinnacle daily over the last few years. The top impression is that they deliver. They follow through and do what they say they are going to do. They are professional and keep us out of trouble.
VP of Engineering & Construction - Renewable Energy Client
Pinnacle is always there for us. Their broad range of expertise from environmental response to environmental permitting to their vast subcontractor network makes them an invaluable resource to our organization. I call them for everything from routine projects to largescale rail-based incidents. I’m thankful to have them as a partner.
Manager of Environmental Remediation - Class I Railroad
Environmental Engineering Solutions for a Better Tomorrow
At Pinnacle Engineering, we understand the importance of collaboration and being responsible stewards of the environment. We act as partners, working closely with you to quickly assess emergency situations, determine the best path forward, and provide long-term support.
