By JOSEPH KELLARD
Unknown to Farley was that a Long Island Power Authority pipe had sprung leaks of dielectric fluid, a coolant for high-voltage transmission cable encased by the pipe that runs along Lawson Boulevard. LIPA learned of the leaks when the pipe's pressure levels dropped on July 10, and the power company clamped the pipe the next day. LIPA found several small leaks in the confines of a 20-foot section of the pipe over several weeks. About 3,500 gallons of the fluid spilled solely into the ground near the creek, which tides carried out into Powell Creek and East Rockaway Channel, according to LIPA spokesperson Michael Lowndes.
"Dielectric fluid is essentially mineral oil," Lowndes explained. "It is selected for its non-toxicity and is very kind to the environment. There are no PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyl) involved or anything of that nature." While older varieties of dielectric fluid contain PCBs and are toxic, the newer forms are vegetable and soy based and both nontoxic and biodegradable, he added.
In addition to clamping each leak, LIPA has regularly replaced booms and other materials in the creek to absorb any surface sheen and material and to keep these from spreading. Also at this scene at Lawson Boulevard (one block west of Anchor Avenue) are frac tanks, some of which hold up to 25,000 gallons of water and contain carbon and other filters. The tanks suction in and stores tide water, filter the traces of dielectric fluid, and return the water to the creek.
"The filtering will go on for some weeks," Lowndes said. "And what we'll do now is some pressure tests, to make sure there are no other leaks before we go back to full service on this cable."
LIPA is conducting this clean up in conjunction with the U.S. Cost Guard, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Nassau County Fire Marshall, and the Bay Constable of the Town of Hempstead.
Tanks, other heavy industrial equipment and road openings on Lawson Boulevard have caused LIPA to shut down a few traffic lanes during daytime hours. Lowndes declined to offer an exact date as to when the clean up will conclude, but said the cable will be restored and the traffic disruption ended in "several weeks" when "we're absolutely sure that we're all cleared out."
Asked what caused the leaks and when they occurred, Lowndes said, "That is still very much under investigation." In June 2004, Long Island American Water replaced 1,500 feet of twenty-inch transmission main along the west side of Lawson Boulevard from Atlantic Avenue to Anchor Avenue. During this work, the water company accidentally disturbed the same LIPA cable pipe and sprung a leak of the dielectric fluid, Lowndes said.
"That is one of the things we are looking at as to what possible caused the current problem, but that is not been confirmed as the actual cause," he said.
Farley, who has resided at his creek-front home for three years, said he has experienced no adverse effects from the leak, other than being unable to swim in the water.
"For the three years I've lived here, the water was in great shape," he said. "You could even see right through to the bottom. I just started to notice that the canal started to look like crap this year."
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