Clean-up efforts along three local rivers continue after about 400 gallons of oil spilled into a storm sewer drain last week at Komatsu’s mining equipment factory near American Family Field.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that Komatsu mishandled an oil transfer last week leading to oil spilling into the Menomonee River from a stormwater outfall at the Komatsu site along West National Avenue.
“We sincerely regret this unfortunate accident occurred and want to apologize to the Milwaukee and Wisconsin community for any harm that has been caused,” Komatsu management said in a statement. “We are devoting all necessary resources toward an aggressive and complete remediation effort to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, and we are committed to determining the root cause to ensure such an incident does not happen again.”
The DNR said it was notified on Dec. 4 of a “petroleum sheen” on the Menomonee River in Milwaukee. A storm sewer cleanout was completed on Thursday and absorbent booms have been placed at a few locations along the Menomonee River. Cleanup efforts are expected to continue through the weekend.
The incident, which occurred on Dec. 3, was thought at that time to be a relatively small spill of waste oil from a container, according to Komatsu.
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Upon learning of the spill, Komatsu said it immediately began cleanup procedures and reported the matter to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the regional staff of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“As cleanup work continued this week, it became clear that the spill was more extensive than initially thought and we began to implement a more aggressive cleanup and remediation effort,” the company said. “We are in the midst of investigating how this very regrettable accident occurred.”
Komatsu’s expanded cleanup efforts include the placing of absorbent booms to contain the oil in the areas where waste has been noticed, including spots in the Menomonee, Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee rivers, as well as the tributary below the Hoan Bridge.
“We have employed a professional, national spill response team to help guide this effort,” the company said.
In addition to the booms, a boat and vacuum truck are being used to remove spilled oil.
Komatsu management said it remains in consistent contact with the Wisconsin DNR and the EPA and is in the process of reaching out to other stakeholders in the area to brief them on the situation.
“We are monitoring any and all reported impacts to area wildlife and waterways and plan to support necessary care required through monetary donations to the care agencies involved,” the company said. “We sincerely appreciate the assistance and concern of the public and the wildlife experts and volunteers who support our region on a daily basis.”
The West National Avenue plant continues to be fully operational, but production eventually will be transferred to Komatsu’s sprawling new manufacturing campus in the Harbor District in Milwaukee.
A message from Milwaukee Riverkeeper, an advocacy group, is requesting that anyone who sees oil deposits in local rivers contact the organization, which will then forward that information to the proper authorities.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper can be reached at 414-287-0207.
