OTTAWA LAKE, Michigan — The U.S. EPA provided an update to cleanup efforts at the site of a March diesel spill in Ottawa Lake, Michigan.
According to the May 2 update, the EPA has recovered almost 30,000 gallons of diesel, which leaked from a diesel fuel tank underneath a Pilot gas station into the area around Tenmile Creek between US 23 and US 223. The EPA said nearly 500,000 gallons of a mixture of oil and water remain on site; meanwhile, nearly 2 million gallons of liquids total have been removed from the site and sent to a disposal facility.
Crews have continued removing and excavating concrete, gravel and soil in the rear of the Pilot parking lot. Meanwhile, the de-watering of the on-site retention pond is also underway; once water levels are low enough, excavation can begin. The EPA estimated digging will start next week.
A combined total exceeding 1,300 tons of soil and stone have also been disposed of off-site, as well as 41 tons of PPE and absorbents.
The spill prompted concerns from some residents in the area, who were told by the Monroe County Health Department shortly after the spill to avoid drinking well water until it could be properly tested. Municipal water was not affected.
EARLIER COVERAGE: Monroe County Health Department advises drinking water caution after diesel fuel leak
According to the most recent update from the EPA, the initial round of well water sampling was completed on April 16, with all test results having been communicated to property owners. The results of the sampling were not made available in the release. However, an initial round of testing by the Monroe County Health Department said results from the rest round of water sampling are "considered ‘clean’ or non-detect."
WATCH MORE FROM WTOL 11
