DEC crews cleaning up gasoline spill at Sunoco gas station in East Utica
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: August 22, 2012
Crews from the Department of Environmental Conservation are continuing to cleaning up a gas spill at the East Utica Sunoco gas station on the corner of Culver Avenue and Albany Street.
Equipment failure is responsible for almost 5,000 gallons of gas seeping into the soil.
The Utica Fire Department says they got reports of residents smelling gas as early as Sunday.
The gas did get into the sewer system, but officials say residents shouldn't be concerned. They say the drinking water won't be affected.
"There should be no contamination to the water whatsoever. It's totally separate they're monitoring they are taking manholes off and testing different areas and back tracking. They are being very thorough in this process," says Assistant Fire Chief George Clark.
Crews are currently digging out the contaminated soil and removed three underground storage tanks.
The DEC says they plan on putting in new tanks and lines.
The gas station will be closed until further notice.
