Pipeline Rupture, Hazardous Material Spill in Knox

Photos by Echo Menges – Reporter for The Edina Sentinel

On Thursday, May 8, 2014, Sinclair Pipeline officials reported a pipeline spill in northern rural Knox County, west of Rutledge near the Scotland County line.

According to Knox County Emergency Management Director (EMD) Keith Gudehus, Sinclair detected a pressure drop in the pipeline on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, and began looking for a leak. Nearly 48 hours after the pressure-drop, while investigating a freshly dug ditch near the pipeline, they were able to locate the leak.

A Sinclair Pipeline crew, members of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Knox County EMD were at the site of the leak Thursday.

Gas/Diesel was leaked from the pipeline through a small rupture approximately one to two inches in length.

The pipeline leak has been stopped. The pipeline crew is in the process of draining the remaining fuel from the line so the damaged piece of pipe can be removed and replaced.

It is unknown how much fuel was released.

Posted at 6pm Thursday 5/8/14