Aberdeen Investigates Odor of Gasoline in Several Beards Hill Area Homes

From the City of Aberdeen:

The Aberdeen Department of Public Works responded on July 17, 2017 at approximately 10:30 pm to the Beards Hill and Woodcrest Area for an odor complaint of gasoline in several houses.

The Aberdeen Fire Department and Harford County Hazmat Response Team initially identified an odor of gasoline originating in the City’s sanitary sewer system. Public Works officials traced the odor of gasoline to the area near a sanitary lift station located near Windemere Drive but were unable to determine the origin of the source. Officials conducted air monitoring of the sanitary sewer system and determined the amounts were below explosive levels and area safe to residents. There was no further danger to the residents and emergency crews departed the scene at approximately 12:30 am on July 18, 2017.

The Department of Public Works staff continued to monitor the lift station throughout the night. Staff also worked during the day to investigate, conduct additional sampling and perform additional flushing to identify the source. All attempts to identify the origins of the gasoline have thus far been unsuccessful.

Officials suspect that someone dumped an unknown quantity of gasoline into the sewer system, possibly by dumping it down a drain, cleanout or a manhole. Once in the sanitary sewer system, the gas vapors rose and released a strong odor of gasoline into several houses in the area. Any remnants of gasoline in the sewer system at this time pose no hazard to the public. As a reminder it is illegal to discharge any pollutant, such as gasoline, that creates a fire or explosive hazard into the City’s sanitary sewer system.

If you have information regarding the illegal discharge into the City’s sanitary sewer system, please contact the Aberdeen Public Works Department at 410-272-1414.