Enbridge Oil Spill at the Cambridge Facility on Highway 18
Contact: Lake Ripley Management District, 608-445-4536 or [email protected]
March 14, 2025
The District compelted VOC sampling with Enbridge representatives at four different sites along the inlet stream, near the oil spill location. The four sites sampled were: north of Highway 18, two adjacent to the Enbridge facility, and downstream of the facility. We expect to get results back within the next two weeks. We will share those results with our residents and the DNR.
There is an upcoming Public Forum meeting on Monday, March 24th at 6:00pm. At the public forum, Enbridge will be presenting the activities outlined in their Site Investigation Work Plan and other reports regarding the recent oil spill at Enbridge Energy Line 6 Cambridge Station. After the presentation, Oakland residents will have an opportunity to ask Enbridge and the DNR questions.
February 27, 2025
The Surface Water Sampling Plan and the Water Supply Well Sampling Plan were added to BRRTS: BOTW Additional Plans.
The Surface Water Sampling Plan discusses Enbridge's proposal to monitor the inlet stream that is adjacent to the facility. They are proposing surface water sampling be conducted quarterly, beginning in March 2025 (Q1). Subsequent sampling is tentatively scheduled for June 2025 (Q2), September 2025 (Q3), and December 2025 (Q4). Surface water samples will be collected for the laboratory analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by EPA Method 8260. The samples will be collected at four different sampling locations: upstream of site, two adjacent to the site, and one downstream of the site. The Lake Ripley Management District will coordinate with Enbridge to collect surface water samples. The District will collect our own surface water samples, which will be tested for VOCs at the State Lab of Hygiene. Following Q4 sampling, Enbridge will conduct a comprehensive data review to assess the need for continued surface water monitoring/sampling.
Town Chair Laura Payne has organized the next Public Forum with Enbridge on Monday March 24th, 2025 at 6 pm at the Oakland Town Hall. At the public forum, Enbridge will be presenting the activities outlined in their Site Investigation Work Plan (Work Plan) and other reports regarding the recent oil spill at Enbridge Energy Line 6 Cambridge Station. After the presentation, Oakland residents will have an opportunity to ask Enbridge and the DNR questions.
For any questions, please email DNR's Caroline Rice at: [email protected].
You may also reach out directly to Enbridge at [email protected].
February 21, 2025
The Site Investigation Work Plan (Work Plan) for the Enbridge Energy Line 6 Cambridge Station is now available. Please follow this link to view the Work Plan: BOTW - Work Plan
For any questions, please email DNR's Caroline Rice at: [email protected]
January 6
On December 23, 2024 the District completed a second round of sampling to test for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the surface water adjacent to the Enbridge facility. We took samples in three different locations – upstream of the facility, adjacent to the facility, and downstream of the facility. We received the results Friday, January 3rd. All results showed no VOC detections. Great news! We sent our results to the DNR for review. Results are available upon request.
December 19, 2024
On December 19, the DNR informed the Town of Oakland that they received analytical test results of two private water wells in the immediate area of the Enbridge facility. The water samples were tested for the full range of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and no VOCs were detected in the water samples.
The District completed a screening round for Diesel Range Organics (DRO) and Gasoline Range Organics (GRO) on December 4, 2024. We received our results back and the results showed elevated levels of Diesel Range Organics in those initial samples. The DRO method is not a qualitative analysis, so we were unable to say what the hydrocarbons present in the sample are from. Even though the result was reported as “DRO,” it does not mean that the sample is contaminated with diesel fuel. It means that there are hydrocarbons present in the sample that would fall in the diesel fuel carbon range (C10 – C28). There are many types of fuels and/or oils that fall in this carbon range These DRO/GRO results prompted the District to complete further testing that would determine the specific types of petroleum products present.
December 18, 2024
On November 11, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was notified of a spill at the Enbridge facility in the Town of Oakland. The following day, Enbridge confirmed the point of release and made repairs. An investigation began at that time, and it remains ongoing to determine the extent of the spill, which was revised to its current estimate of 69,300 gallons late last week. We have been informed that Enbridge is continuing to work with the DNR, the required regulatory agency, as the investigation continues.
The Lake Ripley Management District was notified of the spill on November 20, and since then have been in communication with Enbridge, the DNR, appropriate County Departments, and the Town of Oakland on a weekly basis to understand the impacts of the spill. The District collected water quality samples from the creek adjacent to the facility and expect to get results back this week. At this time, there are no known impacts to Lake Ripley. The District will continue working with all entities involved and will provide updates via our website (www.lakeripley.org).
Potentially impacted homeowners have already been notified by Enbridge. As the spill investigation continues, additional outreach will be conducted as necessary. Enbridge stated that their tests have shown that the product has remained within the bounds of their property at this time.
Jefferson County Health Department (JCHD) recommends that Town of Oakland residents in the immediate vicinity of the facility monitor their water for discoloration and odor. If a resident in the immediate vicinity discovers an issue, please contact JCHD at 920-674-7275.
To view the DNR’s press release regarding this incident, follow this link: DNR Investigating Spill Of Enbridge Line 6 Pipeline | Wisconsin DNR
DNR Points of Contacts:
Private Well Concerns:
Gregory Roanhouse, 262-822-7730, [email protected]
Investigation and technical process:
Issac Ross, 414-750-7140, [email protected]
Public health concerns:
Nathan Kloczko, 608-867-4448, [email protected]
Media Requests:
Enbridge Contact:
[email protected], 833-362-7434