In 2006, aviation fuel leaked from the airport fuel system into the
storm-water system, which flows into the Blaauwpan Dam.
A team of experts immediately contained the spill and commenced the emergency
clean-up procedures.
A task team comprising representatives of the Department of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism, Department of Water Affairs, Gauteng Department of
Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
and Airports Company South Africa, was immediately formed to provide support and advice on the
rehabilitation process.
Fact sheet
About 1.2 million litres of Jet A1 fuel was spilled on 06 November 2006;
As a result of our containment and recovery plan, approximately 632,259
litres were recovered along the storm water system to Blaauwpan Dam;
An additional ±50,000 litres were recovered near the valve chamber where the
spill occurred;
±200,000 litres were absorbed into ±4,000 tons of contaminated
soil;
800 x 20kg bags of absorbent material were used during decontamination;
Each bag of absorbent material recovered accounted for about 10 litres, and
the overall product recovered was almost 80,000 litres;
In addition, 180,000 litres were estimated to have evaporated into the
atmosphere during the spill incident and as a result of the recovery process;
Approximately ±1,142,259 litres of product were therefore recovered and
disposed of safely;
Because the total volume of fuel lost was ±1.2 million litres, the remaining
±56,000 litres could have been trapped in the geological formation and ground
water around Valve Chamber 4. Some could also have been trapped in the pan
sediment;
The Blaauwpan Dam was contaminated when fuel was drained into the storm
water system leading into it;
A mechanical failure on one of the refuelling valves caused the spillage at
O.R. Tambo International Airport;
The spillage was contained within 12 hours to minimise the spread of fuel
further than Blaauwpan Dam;
Temporary weirs and dykes were immediately established at the boundary of
the airport on the morning of 07 November 2006;
An earth wall was installed at the inlet to the Blaauwpan Dam to minimise
the impact of fuel entering into the dam;
The Ekurhuleni Local Authority constructed a temporary earth wall at the
Blaauwpan Dam outflow to prevent any further contamination into the downstream
system;
Absorbent material was placed on the water to suck up free product and
suppress the fumes;
Barriers were installed at the outlet of the dam to prevent fuel flowing
out;
A temporary fence was erected by Airports Company South Africa around the affected areas of the
Blaauwpan Dam. Warning signs were placed on the fence, informing the public not
to swim or fish;
The contaminant was removed from the surface water and trucked from the site
in fuel tankers to be recycled;
Cable sleeve penetration was minimised by placing expansion foam around it
as a temporary sealing method;
Polyurethane injection was used to contain Jet A1 fuel within the valve
chamber;
Physical inspections were conducted on the valve chambers every hour and
recorded to establish the presence of any free product in the valve chambers;
Consultants were appointed to do geohydrological and soil assessments, as
well as monitor the removal process, water and air quality.
