NORTH LA CROSSE UNDERGROUND FUEL OIL SPILL

Abstract

ABSTRACT In July 1978, several homes near the Burlington Northern Railroad yards in North La Crosse reported fuel oil in their basements. High water tables and flooding along the La Crosse River caused seepage into the basements. The nearby railroad refueling depot was the only likely source of the product. A review of railroad activities indicated several likely sources for fuel oil leakage into the soil. A contractor was hired and a recovery system was installed. The recovery system removed about 300 gallons of fuel oil per day. Because of several operational problems, this recovery system was abandoned in November 1978 (after recovering about 20,000 gallons of fuel oil). A consultant's report issued in February 1979 indicated there remained about 157,000 gallons of fuel oil underground. Because recovery operations had ceased, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued an order to the Burlington Northern Railroad in May 1979 to resume recovery operations. This order was superceded by a second order in July 1979. After reviewing several alternatives, a “cone of depression” recovery system was given approval, installed, and began operation in November 1979. As of November 1983, a total of 137,000 gallons of fuel oil had been recovered using the “cone of depression” method. In spring 1984, inspection showed that the recovery system needed a considerable amount of maintenance work. Additional tests are necessary to determine if recoverable amounts of the fuel oil still remain. If further recovery effort is necessary, further refinements may have to be made to the recovery apparatus.