Church basement was source of fuel (9/19/05)

Gallons of heating oil which leaked from barrels in a Portland church’s basement was the source of fuel which made its way to the Portland Wastewater Treatment Plant Thursday afternoon.

A member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 506 E. Walnut St., contacted Portland police Saturday morning and said he thought the fuel had come from the church’s basement.

Plant superintendent Bob Brelsford went to the church to investigate. Brelsford said this morning, he found old barrels containing heating oil in the basement of the church. The barrels leaked 10 to 20 gallons of oil, which went into the sewer pit in the basement. The fuel then made its way to the wastewater treatment plant.

Brelsford said the church members thought the barrels were empty and hadn’t used them for several years. The oil had been used in the church’s furnace, he said.

Members of the church plan to remove the barrels, Brelsford added.

About $2,000 has been spent on supplies to absorb the oil, he said. Criminal charges against the church are not expected, but fines could be levied. Brelsford said he needs to talk to Mayor Bruce Hosier to determine if the church will be fined.

Indiana Department of Environmental Management officials were in town last week to help search for the source of the leak, a plant employee said today. IDEM could issue fines against the church if officials believe it’s warranted.

Members of the church have volunteered to help with the clean-up work, Brelsford said.

“We’re just thankful that they called in,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]