December 7, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality has authorized $650,000 to further investigate and mitigate petroleum contamination at a former gasoline station in the city of Rockford in Kent County.

Releases of gasoline stored in underground storage tanks at the station caused groundwater contamination that is a human health risk, if ingested, and a potential indoor air inhalation and direct contact risk.

Initial response actions by the DEQ included removal of the tanks and limited petroleum product recovery; however, the potential risks that remain on site have required a more aggressive remediation to remove the remaining contamination. The drinking water supply for residences in the area is not at risk because the homes are served by a municipal water system.

The DEQ will use the Refined Petroleum Fund to complete investigation activities and install and operate petroleum product recovery and soil remediation systems. Pending the availability of funds, the state plans to continue operating the system until risks to the public are abated.

"The DEQ makes every effort to address these sites where no liable party responsible for the contamination is available," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "Unfortunately, state cleanup funds are running out, and unless a new funding source is identified soon, cleanups at sites like this will no longer be a possibility."

With nearly half of Michigan's population relying on groundwater for their drinking water source, contamination from leaking underground storage tank sites remains a significant problem for the state. Michigan ranks third in the nation for the highest number of releases from leaking tank sites yet to be cleaned up, with more than 9,000 currently known.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised December 7, 2007 by Pat Watson