HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981 06-24 Chemical storage tanks and former dump sites tested for hazardous leaks THE REVIEW Minnesota '•' "' C o ..,NY au WED.,JUNE 24, 1981
Chemical storage tanks and
former dump sites tested
for hazardous leaks
By JONATHON CLYDE GLASS May 26 letter to the MPCA,the company several residents had expressed concern
Staff Writer denied its responsibility to test the tanks, about the potential hazard at the site due
arguing it had thoroughly cleaned them to unusual dumping there.Don Watson,
Maplewood and Minnesota Pollution when it closed the facility,according to 985 County Road C, said he had seen
Control Agency (MPCA) officials have Ayers.The MPCA response to that letter trucks dumping a molasses-like liquid
tested several potential hazards created is uncertain,but the MPCA did open the directly onto the ground approximatley 15
by old dump sites or leaking storage tanks and found a small amount of years ago,before the dump was closed.
tanks. residual volatile material,Ayers said. City tests did not reveal any suspicious
MPCA test drillings around the old "Regardless of the outcome of any materials,according to Haider,but it is
foundry at the corner of Rice Street and tests,those tanks will have to be removed extremely difficult to find a chemical
Roselawn Avenue revealed that some or filled with inert material,"said Jim which has not been identified more
solvents had leaked into the ground in that Embertson, Maplewood's deputy fire precisely ahead of time,he cautioned.
area, according to Maplewood Health marshal].The law requires that all tanks In late April, children plating in the
Officer Bob Wenger.MPCA officials think left empty for a year be removed or filled, fields west of County Road D came upon a
they can trace the leaks to three un- he explained. dozen 55-gallon barrels which had been
derground storage tanks used by the MPCA tests of residential wells in the illegally dumped there several years
Safety—Kleen Corp. nearby area of Kingston Avenue and Ariel earlier,according to Ayers of the MPCA.
Safety—Kleen operated an industrial Street indicated that no contaminated The industrial solvents in all but two of
recycling facility during the 1970s in a material had seeped into the residential the barrels had already evaporated,and
former gas station at the corner of Rice water supply,Wenger said. the small quantities still contained in
Street and County Road B.The facility The Maplewood Public Works those two did not pose a significant
included 4,000, 6,000 and 8,000-gallon Department conducted tests on the city's hazard,Ayers said.
underground storage tanks'according to former dump site,now a ball field,at the The barrels were on the property of
Michael Ayers,with the MPGA division of corner of Cypress Street and County Road Voya Piletich,2130 Arcade St.They had
solid and hazardous wastes. C.City officials drilled in more than 12 apparently been dumped there before he
Safety—Kleen told the MPCA in late places and found no hazardous materials, even acquired the property,but Piletich
April that it would test the tanks in order according to Ken Haider, public works was required to remove the barrels and
to verify whether they were the source of director. dispose of them properly, under the
the leaks,according to Avers.But in a At a June 4 city council meeting, supervision of the MPCA,Ayers said.