Officials say no way to provide timetable for complete resolution in Jackson
JACKSON -- It's been nearly one month since a gas leak was discovered in the Town of Jackson in Washington County. On July 17th, approximately 55,000 gallons of gasoline spilled from a pipeline that carries gasoline from Chicago to Green Bay.
West Shore Pipe Line Company repaired the gas line, and then tested private wells -- where officials found water samples containing levels of benzene higher than federal standards.
The Department of Natural Resources then issued a "Flush-Only Advisory" for some residents in the spill area. The company put those residents up in hotel rooms and issued bottled water.
The problem now is groundwater runoff from unsafe drinking water areas flowing away from the leak area, outside the designated restriction areas as established by the DNR.
The company is now installing and testing an "interim groundwater remediation system."
The company also announced some statistics regarding the leak. Officials say 23 wells have benzene, with 14 of them having levels above the federal standard.
The company has tested 281 wells at 271 residences and installed 67 water filtration systems.
The company also released an updated map showing the gas leak plume. CLICK HERE to view the map.
Lloyd Fulton is one of the Jackson residents forced to use bottled water for cooking and cleaning. Fulton is in the DNR-designated "Flush-Only Zone." He says he's afraid he'll be "camping" forever.
"It's getting to be too much. They're doing the best they can, but it isn't enough and I don't know how they're going to solve it," Fulton said.
West Shore Pipe Line continues to drill 160 feet into the soil around the leak. Company spokesman Patrick Hodgins says checking the 35 wells on site is a process that includes collecting data and sending it to the DNR.
Hodgins says all tests have to consistently show negative results for gas.
"We're always getting better every day. We're working as quickly and effectively as we can and again we have to get an understanding and investigate where exactly all the contamination is underground," Hodgins said.
Hodgins says there's no way to provide a timetable of when everything will be complete.
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The West Shore Pipe Line Company has opened a claims center for residents affected by the pipeline leak in Jackson. It’s an opportunity for homeowners affected by the leak to get face-to-face help.
Claims can be made at the center — which has been set up at the Comfort Inn at W227 N16890 Tillie Lake Court in Jackson. The center will be open daily from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Affected residents can also call the claims hotline at 866-837-5016. Operators will also be available from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily.
Anyone who filed will be contacted by an adjuster, who will go through each claim.
The claims center and hotline will help residents with:
Residents within the Wisconsin DNR’s Drinking Water Advisory area may also obtain bottled water directly from the claims center.
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