Fuel Leak Found at Newington School Bus Garage

NEWINGTON, CT — A diesel fuel leak was discovered Thursday morning at the town's school bus parking garage on Garfield Street, with some diesel fuel spilling into nearby Mill Brook. A posting on the town of Newington's official web site says the leak is believed to have come from the fuel line that connects to the fuel pump used for filling school buses and ancillary vehicles.

"The leak was discovered by a neighbor who smelled diesel fumes and notified Town officials," according to the notification. "The Connecticut Department of Environmental and Energy Protection [DEEP] was immediately notified. They in turn dispatched their Emergency Response Team to the area. Simultaneously, the Town hired Connecticut Tank Removal [CRT] to clean up the spill and AEGIS to perform environmental inspections.

Diesel fuel has entered Mill Brook, but the extent of contamination has not yet been quantified. Containment booms have been installed and absorbent material deployed. Clean-up crews will be working during daylight hours within the borders of Mill Brook until all visible signs of the spill are remediated. After a full environmental analysis is completed, additional remediation activities should be expected.

The fuel depot at the bus parking garage has been shut off. School buses will fill at the Town Highway Garage on Fenn Road until the investigation of the leak is completed and measures are taken to prevent a reoccurrence."

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Town Manager Tanya Lane at 860-665-8510.

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