Tales of Irene and Fuel Contamination

By: Duane Craig

Flooding in NY Subway

Residents in the lower Hudson River area of New York discovered fuel-laden water in their basements after the heavy rains from tropical storm Irene. The fuel is thought to have originated at a nearby heating, ventilation and air conditioner contractor that also has fuel delivery operations, according to this report in lohud.com.

Environmental Conservationists investigating fuel spill

The smelly water was being pumped out of basements in Sloatsburg, New York by the local fire department while the state Department of Environmental Conservation investigated the cause of the spill. Immediately after the incident it was being assumed that storm water rose above the containment wall around the fuel facility and when combined with high winds jostled some tankers causing them to leak.

But, according to a report in NorthJersey.com the Ramapo River in New Jersey was also affected as an estimated 10,000 gallons of diesel and home heating oil leaked into that waterway from the same fuel storage and delivery facility. The facility stores up to 30,000 gallons of various fuels at any time. Other reports placed a 3,000 gallon tank and another 500 gallon tank in the nearby woods where observers said the smell of gasoline was so strong they couldn't stay in the area more than a few minutes. One of those tanks bore the markings of the same fuel facility.