DEP: Crews still cleaning Pepacton leak

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July 11, 2012

DEP: Crews still cleaning Pepacton leak

Anonymous Staff Report The Daily Star Wed Jul 11, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

Efforts are still under way to halt the flow of fuel into the Pepacton Reservoir after a leak was detected in May, according to a media release from the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.

The DEP reported Tuesday that divers had removed about 2,500 gallons of diesel fuel from an object buried beneath the reservoir, but that an additional object was discovered that appears to contain gasoline.

Moran Environmental Recovery was hired by the agency to complete the $225,000 job of removing the fuel from the reservoir floor.

The leak was first spotted in May, when DEP police noticed an oil-like sheen on the surface of the water.Divers later found a capped 4-inch pipe protruding from the bottom of the reservoir, which was leaking through several small holes.

The pipe was initially capped with a metal drum, and a containment boom was placed on the surface of the water. According to Tuesday's release, the pipe has now been permanently plugged and the leak stopped.

But divers found an additional pipe in the area, and, after tapping into it Monday, discovered what is believed to be gasoline. The pipe was plugged and secured. According to the release, work is expected to start Friday to remove the gasoline.

DEP officials have said throughout that the quality of the water has not been compromised by the leak. Booms remain in place as a precautionary measure. The reservoir remains open for recreation, with some areas unavailable when work is taking place.

Diversions from Pepacton Reservoir to Rondout Reservoir remain off-line. Beginning Tuesday, a greater portion of water is to be released from the reservoir to maintain Delaware River flow requirements.

The DEP manages the New York City water supply, providing more than 1 billion gallons of water each day to more than 9 million residents, including 8 million in New York City, and residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. The Pepacton Reservoir was created in 1955 by impounding the East Branch of the Delaware River, submerging the communities of Arena, Pepacton, Union Grove and Shavertown.