Shutesbury copes with leaky tank: Fuel traces found in nearby wells

By Nick Grabbe
Staff Writer

Published on September 05, 2008

SHUTESBURY - Contamination of the soil and well water around an old fuel storage tank near the fire station on Leverett Road is much greater than expected.

"This is a very big problem that will be expensive" to solve, said Town Administrator David Dann.

Construction crews noticed the smell of gasoline in the area when they were digging drainage ditches as part of a road project in June.

The old fuel tank, at the site of a former service station, had been filled with sand but not removed, Dann said.

Town officials notified the state Department of Environmental Protection and hired Cold Spring Environmental Consultants of Belchertown to oversee the cleanup.

Soil removed

Crews have removed more than 200 cubic yards of soil from around the tank and determined that the contamination exceeded that area, Dann said.

Tests of well water in the area have shown "some traces of low levels" of several chemicals found in gasoline, such as toluene, xylenes and trimethylbenzenes, at the house at 50 Leverett Road, which is next to the fire station, he said.

"They're using bottled water," Dann said. "The town will deliver it as a good-faith gesture."

The old tank, and the soil excavated around it, are still being tested, he said. The soil will have to go to a hazardous waste facility and is currently behind the fire station, under cover, he said.

Dann said he could not give an estimate of the cost of the cleanup until the town learns the extent of the remediation it must perform. He is talking to Shutesbury's insurance provider and state officials about possible grant money, he said.

Meanwhile, there will be more soil removed, and more testing of samples from different places, he said.

"It hasn't been all removed," Dann said. "They suspect further contamination."

Nick Grabbe can be reached at ngrabbe@gazettenet.com.