The Environmental Protection Agency said removal of oil from Mill Creek in northern Kansas has been completed, and the creek is again flowing naturally.
The EPA said oil recovery in the creek in Washington County is complete and the flow and water levels have been returned to natural conditions. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to inspect and monitor restoration work over the next five years.
The Keystone Pipeline leaked into Mill Creek on December 8th, 2022. The leak was determined to have been caused by a welding flaw and stress on the pipeline. The amount of oil that leaked into the creek was estimated at 12,937 barrels.
The EPA said more than 54 million gallons of contaminated surface water were treated and discharged back into Mill Creek. Over 650,000 gallons of oil were recovered, including product remaining in the pipeline after the rupture. About 200,000 tons of oil-impacted soil, sediment and debris were excavated and sent to a disposal site.
