O'HARA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Emergency Responders were called to O’Hara Township Friday to investigate a strong smell of gasoline. Some who work around the area say they noticed the smell Thursday.
Jessica Fraser said, “I walked out of work last night. I was headed to my car it was about 6:30 and I thought it was just a normal - someone cutting grass or something like a machine and it obviously wasn’t.”
The Department of Environmental Protection says the Blawnox Fire Department reported that gasoline got into the storm sewer leaking into the Allegheny River. Fraser says it’s concerning.
Fraser said, “A little bit considering the fact that like there’s like homes and everything and all the businesses and everything. It could affect the water supply and that would shut everyone down.”
Pittsburgh Water confirms the spill did not impact drinking water.
“Operators at the Pittsburgh Water Treatment Plant have actively monitored river conditions and the intake valves along the river throughout the day. The spill had no impact on water quality or safety, and we were able to maintain routine water operations. Pittsburgh Water customers can have every confidence in the quality and safety of their drinking water.”
The DEP is working to confirm the source of the leak, but they’re zeroing in on a possible leaking underground storage tank at the gas station. Until it can be tested, the DEP has ordered the underground storage tank emptied.
In Friday’s spill, the DEP says right now there isn’t an estimate on how much gasoline was released into the river.
The DEP will be monitoring the containment and cleanup of the gasoline and the Blawnox Fire Department will maintain booms in the river until cleanup contractors arrive.
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