SEATTLE — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 10, has ordered two gas stations to close their underground injection wells to protect drinking water on the Yakama Indian Reservation in Washington, according to a press release.
In separate settlements, the gas stations in Wapato and White Swan will pay $13,140 and $11,991 in federal penalties for violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, noted the release.
Da Stor at Lillie’s Corner gas station, in Wapato, operates two underground injection wells. Cougar Den gas station in White Swan operates one underground injection well.
The injection wells dispose of untreated fluids collected through open drains on the stations’ fueling pads. The wells may contain contaminants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, cadmium, chromium and lead that could endanger underground drinking water sources, stated the release.
EPA ordered Cougar Den and Da Stor gas stations to properly close their injection wells by June 30 and July 31, 2013, respectively.
Read the entire press release here.
