environmental Strategist, between the lines: As the links below point out a chemical leak at a Houston water park left dozens suffering. “The chemicals involved included hypochlorite solution and 35% sulfuric acid”. These are very common chemicals used in swimming pools, whirlpool spas, laps pools and of course water parks.
Who are your client’s that can experience the same pollution liability as Six Flags? High Net Worth Insureds, hotels / resorts, country clubs, municipalities, public schools / colleges, homeowner associations, apartments, condominium associations and much more. Site pollution liability insurance can protect your insureds for this type of pollution liability. It also very common to store extra pool chemicals onsite and site pollution coverage addresses that environmental exposure as well.
The second link is a follow up to the first article which identifies the cause of the chemical leak as an improperly installed water filtration system by a contractor they hired. Besides the bodily injury claims you must think about Six Flags Reputational Risk as well as loss of revenue at its 27 parks due to bad publicity. Pollution policies offer Image restoration coverage.
Your insured’s that hire third party vendors to maintain and take care of pools / spas…, you want to make sure the vendor has an environmental financial assurance plan in place and Contractors Pollution Liability (CPL) insurance will meet that need. You want to make sure your insured is listed as an additional insured, and the CPL coverage is primary with a waiver of subrogation. The CPL can also cover the third-party business interruption experienced by Six Flags.
Do you think a $1,000,000 CPL policy will cover this? What about the 29 people taken to hospitals or the 200 that have joined in a lawsuit? Make sure to discuss with your insured’s pollution limits and who they do work for.
Dozens treated after chemical leak at Texas water Park: Associated Press
Posted: JUL 18, 2021
A chemical leak at a Houston-area water park left dozens suffering from minor skin irritation and respiratory issues Saturday, authorities said.
Twenty-nine people were taken to local hospitals following the incident at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown in Spring, the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office tweeted. Thirty-nine others declined to be taken to a hospital after undergoing decontamination procedures.
A local outlet reports that some of those who became sick were children, including a 3-year-old who was hospitalized in stable condition.
The chemicals involved included hypochlorite solution and 35% sulfuric acid, officials said.
“The safety of our guests and team member is always our highest priority and the park was immediately cleared as we try to determine a cause,” Hurricane Harbor Splashtown spokesperson Rosie Shepard said in a statement, according to news outlets. “Out of an abundance of caution, the park has been closed for the day.”
Authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, which they said was contained to one attraction at the park.
“Grateful for the swift action from first responders today at Splashtown,” Houston’s chief elected official, Lina Hidalgo, tweeted. “We’ve issued a closure order to investigate and ensure the park meets all requirements before reopening again.”
Texas water park chemical leak blamed on filtration system: The Associated Press August 5th 2021
Six Flags water park says a chemical exposure that send dozens of people to hospitals was caused by “Improper installation” of a water filtration system
Six Flags officials said Wednesday that a third-party service company improperly installed the system at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, causing pool-sanitizing chemicals to be released in an outdoor kiddie pool area on July 17.
“We have determined that the vapor release involved a low-level mixture of the pool-sanitizing chemicals which was discharged from the bottom of the pool through the water filtration system,” said Jason Freeman, Six Flags Vice President of Safety. “The vapor was well below any reportable quantity.”
About 30 people were hospitalized as a result, and 200 people have joined a lawsuit against Six Flags, which owns the water park, the Houston Chronicle reported. Those who fell ill complained of headaches, vision problems, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and sore throats.
Six Flags did not identify the company that installed the system. The park was reopening to the public Thursday.