Spill Reporting Success Stories
Persistence pays off
A collision between two tractor trailers resulted in 85 drums of hazardous waste catching on fire and discharging a large quantity of waste into the soil. Through Zurich’s Spill Reporting Online System, a proactive discussion began immediately with the cleanup contractor. The contractor had classified the soil as hazardous waste that needed pretreatment prior to disposal through incineration. Zurich requested that the stockpile of contaminated soil be resampled to determine if the soil could be reclassified for disposal.
After additional disposal sampling was performed, the soil was reclassified as a hazardous waste that could be disposed of locally, meaning a lower disposal rate per ton. This disposal rate difference created a cost savings of $388,035. On top of these savings, transportation was reduced from $4,150 per load to $2,367 per load because the soil could be brought to a closer facility. Finally, upon review of the cleanup contractor invoicing, Zurich noted that the fuel surcharge was applied across the entire costs of the initial invoice. Additional negotiations reduced this amount as well.
Total cost savings = $453,509.25
Quick analysis reduces clean-up costs
More than 4,000 gallons of methanol based cleaning compound were dumped into a creek when a tanker truck struck a bridge abutment. Initially, the Texas Department of Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) representative ordered that the water in the creek and nearby pond be drained and scraped. This scope of work would have involved a large amount of equipment and personnel along with large quantities of soil and liquid disposal costing in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Once the incident was reported on Zurich’s Spill Reporting Online System, we retained a local environmental consultant who determined that the methanol compound released would evaporate and degrade within eight days with no residual left behind. Based on this information, the TDEQ agreed to a less aggressive approach comprised of remediation of gross soil contamination and sampling of soil and surface water to confirm that the compound had degraded. Within two weeks of the incident, sample results confirmed that the contamination was below regulatory standards. Additionally, our onsite consultant reduced the project costs by having subcontractors bill our insured directly, reviewing contractor costs, and negotiating regulatory response costs.
Total reduction in clean-up costs = $305,271
Please note that reporting a spill to Spill Center, Inc. does not constitute reporting a claim, nor does it guarantee that a spill is covered under your policy. The Spill Reporting Online System is not intended to be a substitute for reporting claims as required by the policy terms and conditions.
This is intended as a general description of certain types of services available to qualified customers through the companies of Zurich in North America. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. The description of the policy provisions gives a broad overview of coverages and does not revise or amend the policy. We not guarantee a particular outcome, reduction in costs and further assume no liability in connection with the providing of these services.
Spill Center, Inc. is not a subsidiary or affiliate of Zurich. Zurich expressly disclaims any and all damages and other costs that may arise related to the use of or reliance upon the products, services, representations or warranties made by or on behalf of Spill Center, Inc.