SALT LAKE CITY — Crews working on the cleanup of the 33,600-gallon oil spill into Red Butte Creek may release water from the Red Butte Reservoir as early as Saturday to increase the creek's flow rate, hoping to wash more oil downstream to be collected by absorbent booms.
It's expected that the additional water will sweep the oil on the banks of the creek, where it will stick to the culverts for collection into vacuum trucks.
Residents along the creek will notice a slightly increased water level and flow rate that will last three to four hours. The water level will be comparable to levels reached during a rain storm. The creek's flow rate will increase from 7 cubic feet per second to 14 cubic feet per second. City officials say that to ensure safety, residents — especially children — should stay away from the creek during this operation.
The city said residents along the creek may notice an increased odor around the boom sites as the oil is collected. Air monitoring will be done. Chevron will accommodate any residents who may be inconvenienced by the increased odor. Residents are advised to call 866-752-6340 if necessary.
City officials say that as of Friday, 600 of the 800 barrels of spilled oil had been recovered.
Also on Friday, the Utah Rivers Council called for the city to establish a $15 million cleanup fund, but city officials say a formal reimbursement agreement is being worked out with the pipeline company.
City spokeswoman Lisa Harrison-Smith said all response costs and property damage costs associated with the expense are being evaluated.
"Our finance team is documenting all expenses through a log that will be made public at some point next week."
Video describing Chevron's cleanup efforts can be found here www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaghT7Gfo08> .
e-mail: amyjoi@desnews.com