Poultry Processor

A MARCOR technician strings a containment boom to catch floating material.

Project Details

• Client: Poultry Processor Delmarva Peninsula Area
• Contaminant: Organic Waste (poultry parts & renderings)
• Regulatory Agencies: EPA, Delaware Natural Resource Environmental Control, and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)
• Contract Value: $102,000

Related Services

• Emergency Spill Response

Background

Poultry parts become a major environmental hazard when accidentally released into an estuary. The negative impact on wildlife and vegetation can devastate an ecosystem's delicate balance. Fast remedial action is imperative.

When a 150,000-gallon waste holding tank suffered catastrophic failure, MARCOR was the first call from the large poultry processing plant located in the Delmarva Peninsula area. The tank's nutrient-rich contents had emptied into a Delaware creek, which spills into a Maryland pond. MARCOR's emergency response involved rapid containment and cleanup of poultry parts and renderings to prevent extensive damage to the ecosystem. The high-protein food source would cause excessive growth of microorganisms, which would, in turn, cause the water to turn anaerobic. This depleted oxygen condition would cause fish kills, loss of other aquatic life, and eventual impact of surrounding residential areas. An immediate response and quick remediation were essential.

Job Description

Since the contaminating waste crossed state lines via various waterways, it was necessary for several regulatory agencies to be involved. Each offered its own concerns on the various environmental impacts as well as its own methods for remediation. MARCOR devised a plan to put it all together.

MARCOR took into account the combined concerns and constraints posed by three regulatory agencies and drew from its own vast experience to devise a plan for rapid remediation. Our engineers designed a containment/skimming/aerating system to treat the affected waterways. Cleanup began with containing contaminants as they flowed downstream. Skimming with dip nets provided the quick removal of floating contaminants, and workers picked up or vacuumed additional debris along shorelines. The site-engineered aeration system was essential for the survival of all aquatic life. MARCOR successfully re-oxygenated the water, and the client monitored water oxygen levels for the duration of the project to validate success. The project lasted approximately six weeks, with 10 to 30 technicians at a time working seven days a week.

Long-term Success

MARCOR sampled and monitored the waterways for many months following the cleanup. The thorough response and well-thought-out efforts had resulted in survival for most forms of vegetation and wildlife, and the entire ecological system was much cleaner than before the spill occurred. MARCOR was proud to conduct this successful remediation effort, and the client rewarded us with a sole source environmental contract to cover their many facilities.

For additional information, call MARCOR's corporate headquarters at 1-800-547-0128 or send email to info@marcor.com.