DNR announces official launch of Jackson pipeline website

JACKSON -- The DNR Friday, August 10th announced the launch of a website dedicated to providing the public with the latest information on the status of the Town of Jackson gasoline cleanup. A leak in a gasoline pipeline that transports fuel from Chicago to Green Bay back on July 17th led officials to test several private wells in the Jackson area, after several tested positive for unsafe levels of benzene.

The page can be reached from the DNR’s website: dnr.wi.gov, where you should enter the search term "Jackson." In addition to finding a link to subscribe to DNR updates about advisories and cleanup activities, visitors to the page also can find the following information:

On July 17th, approximately 55,000 gallons of gasoline spilled, and water samples from private wells located near the spill have detected gasoline compounds above health advisory levels. The DNR has been working with pipeline officials, residents and state of Wisconsin and Washington County health officials to respond to this problem.

“We’re launching the Web page because it’s important that citizens can turn to our agency for current information on the status of the spill. This problem won’t get solved overnight. But our agency has had boots on the ground since day one. We’ll be there until the job is done. And we want the public to know just what it is we’re doing," DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp said in a statement Friday.

West Shore Pipe Line Company has finished installing water filtration systems in the homes of residents affected by the "Flush-Only Advisory."

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 West Shore Pipe Line Company.

Despite this finding, however, the DNR has not changed the boundaries of the water restriction areas. The DNR says it is monitoring the situation, but at this time did not rule water use in areas outside the restriction zones unsafe.

At this time, there is no word on if and when the DNR could change the restricted water zones due to groundwater runoff.

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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