63K Gallons Of Gasoline Released In Huntersville Pipeline Spill

HUNTERSVILLE, NC — Private drinking water wells near Oehler Nature Preserve east of Huntersville are being assessed and sampled for possible contaminants following an underground pipeline failure that led to the releasing of 63,000 gallons of gasoline, Mecklenburg County Public Health said.

The incident involving the Colonial Pipeline's underground line occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Aug. 14 near 14511 Huntersville-Concord Road in Huntersville.

"The cause of the release is reported as equipment failure," MCPH said in a statement. "Colonial Pipeline estimates that 63,000 gallons of gasoline have been released from the line, and the majority the product has already been recovered."

County health officials said that at this time, the spill does not appear to be a threat to potable drinking water wells due to the nature of the incident and the depth of water wells.

Following the spill late last week, Colonial Pipeline shut down the pipeline and coordinated about 200 company employees, contractors and first responders as part of a coordinated response to the incident. The company also said it reached out to property owners, as well as local, state and federal agencies.

"Crews are onsite and are actively working to control and monitor the source so that clean-up and repairs can begin, as needed," Colonial Pipeline said.

According to county health officials, the company was able to prevent the spill from entering a tributary of the Rocky River.

"Colonial has successfully implemented proactive measures to protect the closest surface waters, the North Prong of Clark Creek, which drains east out of Huntersville and into the Rocky River in Cabarrus County," MCPH said. "The creek is located approximately 1,500 feet downgradient from the spill area. No product has been detected in the creek, which is being closely monitored."