Since November 8, there have been 8 different reports to the National Response Center coming out of the Sunoco Oil Refinery in South Philadelphia. The initial report stated that oil from an unknown source accumulated and discharged into the Schuylkill River. Subsequent reports state that absorbant booms and pads had been placed in the water to absorb the sheen. The booms were repositioned and then changed out and additional absorbant pads were deployed, and still the reports keep coming in. The latest report from yesterday states that a vac truck is onsite to aid in removal of oil.

I lived in South Philly, 2.5 miles from where this oil is leaking into the Schuylkill River. I have 3 brothers who live exactly 1 mile away from the Sunoco Refinery. Thanks to the SkyTruth Alerts System, I can see exactly what’s happening in my old neighborhood, and I can see that Sunoco obviously has a problem at their South Philly refinery and they’re cleaning up the mess but it doesn’t sound like they’ve found the cause of the problem.

I’ll keep monitoring the area with my daily alerts, and I’ll be letting my brothers know that swimming in the Schuylkill River down by Sunoco probably isn’t a great idea this holiday season.