Cleanup of Kalispell gas leak continues

Crews had removed about 30,000 gallons of gasoline-contaminated groundwater from underneath the Exxon station on Meridian Road and West Idaho Street by Monday afternoon.

Officials estimated the groundwater contained 2,000 to 2,500 gallons of gasoline.

And the pumping continues, according to Terry Mitton, Kalispell Human Resources director.

Environmental damage still is being assessed and there is no time frame for how long the cleanup ultimately could take.

"We'll do what we need to do to take care of the problem," Mitton said.

While the leak in the gas station's underground piping system has yet to be pinpointed, the flow of gas into the ground was stopped last week.

Two fuel lines failed recent integrity tests, Mitton said. Inspectors also will examine the tanks.

A consultant also may be hired to determine where and why the problem occurred.

"We won't know until they get in there and do some heavy-duty analyzing," Mitton said.

To prevent any more gasoline from leaking from the ground into the storm sewer system, crews dumped 28 cubic yards of concrete around the leaky sewer pipe.

"It's like a concrete collar," Mitton said.

The 42-inch sewer pipe had sprung two leaks along a seam, Mitton said.

Mitton also expects tests to confirm that gasoline has stopped flowing into Ashley Creek, he said.

While Mitton did not know how much cleaning up the spill has cost the city so far, there is an internal account being set up.

"We're tracking every expenditure on this thing," he said.

The cost of cleaning up the gas spill ultimately will include paying outside consultants, the cost of equipment and materials, wages, and environmental ramifications, Mitton said.

The risk of explosion has been mitigated.

"It's more of an environmental issue at this point," Mitton said.

The leak prompted officials to first close Meridian Road between Center Street and West Idaho Street on Wednesday. Portions of Meridian Road north of West Idaho Street also were cordoned off.

Authorities had been monitoring the growing quantity of gasoline in the storm drains since Saturday, but it wasn't concentrated enough for investigators to identify a source until Wednesday, Mitton said.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality was notified of the leak Monday.

The gas station passed its last inspection in 2006, according to the Department of Environmental Quality.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com