Monroe Energy tank farm in Aston leaks 278,000 gallons of gasoline
Monroe Energy’s tank farm in Aston, Bethel and Upper Chichester townships has leaked as much as 278,000 gallons of gasoline into the groundwater at the site since last summer, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection disclosed Dec. 23.
In an 18-page enforcement order, the DEP described how the leak first came to the state’s attention Aug. 19 when Monroe Energy detected a “sheen” of gasoline in a storm sewer at the tank farm, located at 920 Cherry Tree Rd. in Aston, and notified the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Monroe reported that no leaks had been identified on any of its tanks or pipelines.
Monroe and its subsidiary, MIPC LLC, which operates the tank farm, undertook monitoring and testing of soil borings and monitoring wells and by Sept. 13, reported that petroleum had ben observed in 10 borings and four monitoring wells on the tank farm property.
By Dec. 15, MIPC reported that at least 760 barrels of gasoline had been leaked into the groundwater. Two days later MIPC reported it found a quarter-inch hole in a pipeline at the bottom of one tank and estimated that about 9,000 barrels – 278,000 gallons – of unleaded gas had leaked.
DEP issued the enforcement order Dec. 23, requiring Monroe and MIPC to begin immediate short and long-term remediation, including, as a first step, testing of any wells within 1,000 feet of the tank farm. The companies are to provide bottled water to any homeowners with private wells within the area who request it.
Monroe said it had not found any drinking water well contamination thus far. Typically groundwater pollutants move in a plume from the source to downflow areas. Monroe will have to map the movement of any plume as it investigates and begins remediation.
The order sets a number of deadlines through January for investigation of the leak, including an assessment of the extent of the leak and quantity of contaminants. Monroe must begin immediate air and water quality monitoring and provide weekly reports of its progress.
“The health and safety of our neighbors is paramount,” MIPC said in a statement. “We strive every day to have zero impact on the environment and the community we share, and we sincerely apologize for any concern that this may be causing our neighbors. MIPC is committed to ensuring that the entire affected area is remediated and returned to its original condition.”
According to the DEP order, MIPC must provide an implementation schedule for remediation of the contamination and a Public Involvement Plan to the department and the townships by Jan. 20, schedule public hearings, receive comments and revise its plans in response, the order says.
The PIP must include a convenient location where the public can review hardcopies of documents as well as a publicly accessible website, a schedule of public hearings and an outreach plan to inform the community of project activities.
By Jodine Mayberry for the Clearinghouse
Photo/Clearinghouse
