Darien-Willowbrook Petroleum Discharge Under Investigation

DARIEN, IL – A petroleum discharge discovered Sunday near the Lake Hinsdale Village pond has prompted a multi-day response involving Willowbrook, Darien, DuPage County and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The pond is in Willowbrook, northeast of Darien. It is in a residential neighborhood northwest of Route 83 and 67th Street.

According to a Darien news release, the material appears to have originated in the storm sewer system south of 67th Street within Darien before entering the storm sewer system along 67th Street and ultimately reaching the pond.

The local fire department responded along with personnel from Willowbrook and Darien. Willowbrook then coordinated with DuPage County, the Illinois EPA and environmental professionals after the petroleum product was discovered in the pond.

On Monday, the response team identified a small segment of the Dale Basin, within Darien, that also required cleanup, according to the news release. Darien then partnered with Willowbrook and private contractor Specialized Environmental Services to address that affected area.

Testing conducted by the contractor identified the material as used diesel fuel and motor oil. As of Thursday afternoon, response crews remained on site.

Because the investigation is ongoing, Darien and Willowbrook said they will not speculate on the source, cause or responsibility for the discharge, according to the release.