Kinder Morgan Gasoline Pipeline Information
A high-pressure gasoline pipeline operated by Kinder Morgan has recently drawn a lot of attention from members of our community and your Mayor and Council representatives. The City of Tucson is providing this web page to provide you with helpful information. Below, you’ll find information about the pipeline, the gasoline spill that took place on July 30, 2003, and other news of interest. The City is also providing information in a Newsletter being mailed to residents and businesses located in the vicinity of the Kinder Morgan pipeline. All of the information in the newsletter will be available on this web page. If you have questions that you don’t find answered here, or you’d like to be put on the mailing list for the newsletter, please use this “E-mail Us” link or call 791-4331.
Mayor's Kinder Morgan Pipeline Citizens Task Force
Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup has formed a Kinder Morgan Pipeline Citizens Task Force to monitor issues related to the Kinder Morgan gasoline pipeline that runs through portions of Tucson. The Task Force has developed a web site where information on the pipeline and on Task Force meetings can be accessed. This informative web site can be found at www.tucsonpipeline.org.
What is the Kinder Morgan Pipeline?
Approximately 50 years ago, a high-pressure 8-inch gasoline pipeline was constructed through portions of Tucson to deliver liquid gasoline from Texas to Phoenix and beyond. While most of the pipeline in this area lies within the Southern Pacific Railroad easement, about 12 miles of the pipeline passes through industrial and residential areas (view Pipeline Map). In recent years, Kinder Morgan, Inc., one of the largest energy transportation and storage companies in America, has operated the pipeline.
What Happened In Summer 2003?
On July 30, 2003, the gasoline pipeline ruptured in a neighborhood north of Grant Road just east of Silverbell Road. Gasoline from the rupture sprayed on five unfinished new homes, and flooded portions of some streets and the Silvercroft wash.
What Was the City’s Response?
The Tucson Fire Department and other public safety agencies immediately conducted emergency clean-up efforts, containing and removing the gasoline from the streets and wash. The five contaminated homes have been torn down to be rebuilt. The contaminated soil immediately beneath and surrounding the homes has been replaced. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality now estimates that at least 43,000 gallons of gasoline was released. Kinder Morgan estimates are lower.
When the rupture occurred, Tucson Water took steps to protect our drinking water system in the area. Extensive testing showed that although the exterior of some pipes, valves, and other water facilities were exposed to gasoline, none of the gasoline entered the drinking water system. The drinking water mains in the area were isolated from the rest of the system and tested to see if any water contamination had occurred. Tests at taps in nearby homes were also conducted. All the tests came back completely free from gasoline and clearly showed that none of the gasoline had entered our drinking water system. The drinking water system facilities (pipes, valves, meters, and hydrants) that were exposed to the gasoline have been replaced at Kinder Morgan’s expense.
Did Any Gasoline Escape?
Gasoline from the spill contaminated the soil in the immediate area, and has reached the water table immediately below the spill site.
Is Our Drinking Water in Danger?
No Gasoline Contamination has been found in Tucson’s drinking water. Tests have been conducted at the drinking water well closest to the spill (about two miles away), and also at out of service wells in the vicinity of other sections of the gasoline pipeline. In addition, there is a monitor well (not a drinking water source) about 850 feet away from the contamination site. Tests on this well have found NO gasoline contamination. In short, there is no evidence that the spill has had any impact on our drinking water system. Tucson Water will continue monitoring wells near the pipeline on a weekly basis for gasoline products.
Also, Tucson Water conducts routine testing at more than 250 distribution sampling sites in its drinking water system. The monitoring includes a test for organic carbon that would detect the presence of gasoline components. None have been found. This is further evidence that no contamination from the Kinder Morgan pipeline has entered the drinking water system.
How Can I Get Water Quality Information?
Tucson Water will be posting the most recent water quality monitoring results from the wells located in the vicinity of the pipeline (view Water Quality Results). For additional information about the water quality in your neighborhood, or throughout Tucson Water’s drinking water system, go to Tucson Water’s Water Quality web pages.
What is Being Done to Clean Up the Contaminated Soil and Groundwater?
Kinder Morgan has drilled a number of monitoring wells in the area of the spill and more are planned. In early November, they will set up and begin testing a system to remove the gasoline from the soil and groundwater (view Clean-Up Update).
Is the Pipeline Being Replaced?
Yes, Kinder Morgan is replacing the approximately 12-mile section of 8-inch pipeline that passes through a portion of the City and is not within the railroad easement. The pipeline is being replaced with a new 12-inch pipeline. Updated progress reports on the replacement program will be posted on this web page (view Progress Report).
What About Moving the Pipeline to an Area Where There Are No Residents or Businesses?
Tucson’s Mayor and Council will be working with Kinder Morgan, Pima County, the State of Arizona, and other agencies to work toward the goal of relocating this portion of the pipeline to a more suitable area. The Mayor and Council have set a target of 2006 for this issue to be resolved. That is when the City’s easement agreement with Kinder Morgan comes up for renewal.
How Can I Get Further Information?
- Check Back To This Web Page.
- We will be updating this page with new information as it becomes available.
- Come To A Public Hearing.
- A series of public hearings have been scheduled to discuss this issue (view Public Hearing Schedule).
- Sign Up For the Newsletter.
- A Kinder Morgan Pipeline Newsletter is being mailed to residents and businesses located in the vicinity of the Kinder Morgan pipeline If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, use this "E-mail Us" link and provide your name, address and zip code.
- Call Us at 791-4331.
- Call us with your questions on Water Quality, Pipeline Replacement, or Soil and Groundwater Clean-up.
