Wolverine Pipe Line Co. crews pumped the groundwater out of the pit for nearly a month before being told by the state Department of Environmental Quality that they needed a permit because of pre-existing contamination there.
No oil or gas spilled, the company stated.
The company has since taken steps to filter iron from the water that is being removed from the excavation. They also have made sure no residuals were left in the storm sewer or catch basin, said Chris Veldkamp, environmental quality specialist with the DEQ’s water resources division.
The company could not provide a specific volume, but told the DEQ pumping had been ongoing from Dec. 17 to Jan. 5, Veldkamp said.
“It’s basically going back where it came from,” said David O’Donnell, district supervisor for the DEQ’s remediation and redevelopment division.
The company has an easement for the pipeline that runs underground at West K-7 School, 500 W. 24th St. The school sits adjacent to a “tank farm” where petroleum products have long been stored. It has been about 30 years since groundwater contamination was discovered at the property now owned by Holland Terminal.
The contaminated groundwater flows through the school property.
Samples taken of the water showed no volatile organic compounds, which would include petroleum-based products. Iron and manganese above secondary maximum contaminant levels were found, but pose no public health risk, DEQ officials said.
“Wolverine wants to assure the community that public safety and protections of the environment is our utmost priority, and our goal is to meet or exceed all environmental rules and regulations,” the company said in a statement released Thursday. “Wolverine did not have a gasoline release from our pipeline and there was no water contamination.”
The company continues to work with the schools, city and MDEQ.