Caterpillar Facility; Joliet, IL (Des Plaines River)

Joliet, IL (Des Plaines River) | 2009-Feb-08

Initial Notification: The Caterpillar Company in Joliet, Il reported a release of 70,000 gallons of waste oil and other waste products into the Des Plaines River. The USCG received a report via the NRC at 1200 CST. Apparently a holding facility overflowed allowing an estimated (by the facility) of 10% to sheet-flow over the ground into the river. The time of this overflow is unknown at this writing. Reports indicate sheening and “gray clumps” as far as 6 miles downriver (1430 CST).