Late-Summer Oil Spill Causes Worry In Simsbury Neighborhood

SIMSBURY, CT — An oil spill late last month is still causing concern from residents in one Simsbury neighborhood, who are worried about long-term environmental issues there.

According to Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson, who updated the board of selectmen last week, about 75 gallons of hydraulic oil spilled on Aug. 29.

The spill, attributed to a USA Waste & Recycling truck, impacted streets were Howard, Gordon, Centerwood, and Willard streets, he said.

"We understand the neighborhood remains concerned, and we want to reassure residents that we are diligently investigating all aspects of this situation," wrote Nelson in his report to selectmen.

He said, shortly after the spill, South Windsor-based Environmental Services Inc. staff tested the soil and water where the spill occurred post-cleanup.

According to Nelson, ESI's early results show "no indication of hydraulic oil contamination that impacted the neighborhood."

He did say, however, that petroleum hydrocarbons were detected in catch basins in that area "above allowable levels."

Nelson said ESI attributed those tests, however, to water runoff and rain washing accumulated materials from roads into storm drains.

He said the contaminants found are more associated with pavement/asphalt and not hydraulic oil.

Nelson did say that, following the spill, rain forced up residual oil in pavement cracks, creating slick conditions, resulting in ESI coming back to conduct a further cleanup.

He said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has been notified and is being consulted regarding the situation.

In addition, Nelson said, the town is monitoring well water in that area.

"We understand the community's ongoing concerns, particularly regarding well water safety," Nelson wrote.

"The Department of Public Works is actively monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates as new analytical results and comprehensive reports become available."

Simsbury First Selectman Wendy Mackstutis told selectmen that the town and its public works department have maintained an open dialogue with the community.

"Impacted residents are being kept up to date," she said in her first selectmen's report.

For Simsbury Town Manager Marc Nelson's full report on the oil spill, click on this link.