Test results from US 2 near Ashland water sample reveal traces of petroleum

June 26, 2008

Minimal amounts pose no threat to public health or the environment

The test results of a water sample taken near the US 2 construction site in Ashland show only a minimal amount of contamination was found in an old storm sewer line that was discovered by city of Ashland crews.

In conjunction with the US 2 reconstruction project, city crews were trying to determine the source of the old storm sewer line found in an existing manhole. In an attempt determine the lines origin, crews encountered a blockage in the pipe last Wednesday. Several thousand gallons of water were then used to clear the blockage and that is when a stream of dark liquid came out of the line.

Emergency response crews used absorbent materials to collect as much contamination as possible and the pipe was immediately capped off to prevent additional discharges to the storm drain system.

According to test results done by an independent firm, low concentrations of petroleum volatiles, lead and cadmium were found in the water. However, there were no signs of PCBs discovered.

Some of the water flushed out of the line made its way to the Chequamegon Bay. However, “because the levels of contaminants found in the water were relatively low, the discharged water does not pose a health risk to humans, animals or aquatic life,” said Kevin Accola, Senior Environmental Scientist with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc., the consultant working on the project. Furthermore, “remediation of the area that came into contact with the water is also not necessary,” according to Chris Saari with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).

The city of Ashland and the WDNR have discussed this issue further and the city will be checking the assumed downstream discharge end of this pipe again to make sure that it is sealed. They will also be working to permanently seal the upstream end (the portion that was encountered during the construction work last week).

For more information, contact:
Chris Ouellette, Regional Communication Manager
(715) 833-9814

Andy Stensland, Project Manager 
(715) 392-7963

Chris Saari, WDNR, Ashland  
(715) 685-2920