Access Kalamazoo - Sixteen Years After: The Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Recovery
In July 2010, an Enbridge pipeline rupture released nearly one million gallons of crude oil into the Kalamazoo River, becoming one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history. Immediately after the spill, benzene levels at some locations significantly exceeded the EPA drinking water standard, and parts of the river were closed for an extended period.
This program examines the cleanup efforts and water quality changes over the sixteen years since the accident. Under the oversight of the EPA, Michigan’s environmental agency (EGLE), and other organizations, dredging and restoration efforts were carried out. According to recent monitoring data, benzene levels have decreased to below detection limits at most sites, while dissolved oxygen and pH levels remain within normal ranges.
With more than 1.2 billion dollars invested in the cleanup, this case demonstrates the impact a major environmental disaster can have on a community and ecosystem, and the time and resources required for recovery.
