Oil Spill Cleanup To Continue For Weeks In Monroe

MONROE, CT — Cleanup efforts following an oil spill in Monroe are expected to continue for at least another two weeks as crews remove contaminated soil and prepare for road repairs, according to First Selectman Terrence Rooney.

The cleanup stems from an Aug. 3 crash in which a fuel truck overturned near Hattertown and Guinea roads during a heavy downpour, spilling approximately 2,000 gallons of home heating oil. The driver was not injured.

A drilling contractor also installed monitoring wells that will be used to track groundwater conditions after the excavation is backfilled.

A groundwater treatment system was installed late last week to provide greater control of groundwater and help move the cleanup process forward, according to the update.

Officials said meetings involving the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Aquarion and the land trust determined the project had reached a point where crews could begin preparing for backfilling once excavation is complete. Road construction and repairs will follow.

Police are continuing to use signs and traffic-control cones to slow vehicles on roads being used by trucks temporarily leaving the site. Drivers are being asked to slow down and follow traffic-control measures.