Department of Environmental Protection Says Pepacton Reservoir Cleanup Complete

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection says their contractor has completed the removal of approximately 2,600 gallons of diesel fuel and 600 gallons of gasoline from tanks buried beneath the Pepacton Reservoir.

Divers used underwater cameras to ensure that all the fuel had been removed from the tanks and then sealed the open standpipes. An inspection of the immediate area revealed no further unexplored standpipes.

In May, during routine surveillance, DEP Police discovered a potential oil spill in the Reservoir and immediately dispatched staff to investigate. During an exploratory underwater inspection divers found a 3-inch diameter pipe protruding through the sediment at the bottom of the reservoir.

Although capped, the pipe had several small holes which were allowing diesel fuel to escape.