BP gas leak update
From the MRJs Stacy Graham Hunt:
The state Department of Environmental Protection is still investigating how much gasoline was released from the BP gas station on 901 W. Main St. on Friday, officials said....
It is estimated that nearly 10,000 gallons have been released. Fire Chief Jack Casner said the ground on the station's property has been contaminated with gasoline. The area of the gas station is still fenced in, and the Fire Department continues to tend to the area.
Tim White
3 comments:
Tim FYI,
This is a major environmental/health disaster if this much fuel was released as they claim. Also, since I have experience in this business, it is also a serious potential criminal offense.
When I was in the business we checked the fuel readings on the computer monitoring system with a physical check at the tanks. If there was any discrepancy at all we needed to report this to the company and a hydrostat test was completed on the tanks to check for the slightest bit of leakage.
To loose 10,000 gallons is ridiculous and a complete disregard for the environment and the safety of the public.
You see, in today's computerized ordering of fuel, the system can tell how much water, fuel and total volume of the two are in each tank to the ounce and the system goes through a diagnostic check at least every 24 hours.
The system records all the readings and reorders fuel and also lets the operator know if there is any discrepancies with volume levels or excess water levels. It's very user friendly.
If these findings are true and 10,000 gallons of fuel has leaked into the soil and the atmosphere the damage is done and we will have a systemic catastrophe on our hands for decades.
This could cause a "Love Canal" effect for homeowners in the vicinity of the station as far out as a half mile or even farther if fuel has leached into natural underground water systems.
I don't trust the credibility of the DEP every since 9-11 and their statement that air quality at ground zero was found to be normal. My brother was down there the next day and he pulled his electrical crew out of the area because they tested the air quality and found it unhealthy and unfortunately many rescue workers are having serious health issues including death.
IMHO the town should seek an outside legal firm to represent the homeowners in this area and hold numerous people/corporations liable for potential long term health risks and property devaluation.
The DEP can take care of fining those responsible but we as a municipality MUST do what is right for its residents.
Mike Rocci
Thanks Mike.
Another thought on my mind... there seems to be a view that if someone is on city water, they are not at risk... while those on well water are at risk.
But what if there are cracks in the city water pipes?
Last year, Towpath and Brentwood (my parents neighborhood) were repaved... because they got new water pipes... because the pipes had "at least three cracks in a 1,000 foot section."
Tim,
Excellent point. I believe that anyone within a 1/2 mile ground perimeter (radius) and anyone up or down stream from an underground natural waterway from the above area are at extreme risk. I myself have this household on bottled water for the time being.
Here's something else to think about. It is humanly possible to mistakenly attach the fill hose of a fuel tanker truck to the wrong receptacle on the fueling station grounds. This error would allow fuel to be dispensed outside the (UST) underground storage tank.
I have first hand knowledge of this error being made two times in my career. It's not pretty, especially in Manhattan. It costs Millions to clean it up and when it's all done there's still the chance of systemic health concerns.
Like I stated, this is real bad news for Cheshire!!!
Mike Rocci
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