PORTSMOUTH, Ohio — Norfolk Southern Railway has submitted an updated stormwater pollution prevention plan to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency following a state inspection that documented diesel fuel and an oil sheen discharging from a Portsmouth railyard into the Ohio River.
Ohio EPA inspectors conducted a reconnaissance inspection of Norfolk Southern’s Portsmouth Yard on July 17, 2025, to evaluate compliance with the facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. According to the inspection report, an oil sheen was visible at stormwater outfall 004 and at final outfall 001, which discharges through the city of Portsmouth’s storm sewer system into the Ohio River. Inspectors also detected a strong diesel odor at both locations.
The initial inspection report states that Norfolk Southern did not immediately identify the source of the discharge.
In a corrective action report submitted to the Ohio EPA on Jan. 2, 2026, Norfolk Southern said it conducted an internal investigation and concluded the discharge was likely associated with railyard operations. The company reported that testing identified a failed underground fuel pipeline serving a truck loading area, which was taken out of service.
According to the report, a below-grade collection sump was installed near the pipeline, and approximately 1,100 gallons of petroleum-impacted water were collected, containing an estimated 22 gallons of petroleum. The company reported the impacted water was recovered primarily through August 2025.
Norfolk Southern also reported that a temporary truck loading pad was installed near its bulk fuel tanks and that construction is underway on a permanent covered loading and parking pad intended to eliminate the underground fuel line. The company said the new facility is expected to be completed in 2026.
Ohio EPA records indicate the company updated its stormwater pollution prevention plan to document the diesel release and operational changes. The update was submitted as part of the facility’s discharge permit requirements.
Monitoring of the affected outfalls continued into late 2025, according to the corrective action report, and the company reported no further evidence of petroleum contamination before river containment equipment was removed for winter conditions.