EPA orders gas stations to close underground injection wells to protect drinking water

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 10, has ordered two gas stations in Washington to shut down their underground injection wells to prevent contamination into drinking water on the Yakama Indian Reservation.

EPA noted that contaminants from wells might pollute the drinking water sources in the Wapato town and White Swan region as groundwater is the main source of drinking water in the two regions.

The first gas station Da Stor at Lillie’s Corner located in the town of Wapato operates two underground injection wells, while Cougar Den gas station in White Swan region in Yakima County operates one underground injection well.

EPA has found that the two gas stations violated the Safe Drinking Water Act and have ordered them to pay $13,140 and $11,991 in separate settlements.

The agency has ordered Da Stor gas station to shut down its two injection wells by 31 July 2013 and has directed Cougar Den to close its injection well by 30 June 2013.

As per the order, Da Stor gas station will also have test the onsite public water system to ensure that water quality meets the set federal drinking water standards.

EPA said that the injection wells disposed the untreated fluids that are collected through the open drains on the stations’ fuelling pads.

According to the agency, the wells have the risk of containing pollutants, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, cadmium, chromium, and lead that could pollute the underground drinking water sources.

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Image: EPA headquarters in Washington DC, US. Photo: Courtesy of Coolcaesar.