MONROE - The Department of Natural Resources has called for monitoring ground water for possible contamination near 17th Avenue and Ninth Street.
The Board of Public Works Monday approved a permit to install two monitoring wells in city sidewalks. The city incurs no cost for the wells or their monitoring.
The permit was submitted by Tim Koeller, owner of the property and building at 1629 Ninth St., which is now used by Monroe One Hour Cleaners, Inc. As owner of the property, Koeller is the person responsible for any contamination.
The site used to be a gas station. Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder said the contamination is most likely from underground gas holding tanks which were removed.
"Monitoring of contamination has been ongoing since removal of the tanks," Finkenbinder said. "We're trying to find out if the plume has moved or not."
The monitors will be installed on the south side of Ninth Street, across the road from Koeller's property.
BT2, Inc., headquartered in Madison, will install the monitoring wells and check the ground water. The company presented a certificate of insurance to the city which will cover any damages to city property.
BT2 provides comprehensive civil and environmental engineering services.
Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder said monitors are not a hazard and are installed at sidewalk level. Jerry Ellefson, superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, said well covers are locked down and pose no threat of being opened by the public.
The monitors will remain for three to five years. If reconstruction on Eighth/Ninth streets displaces the monitors, BT2 is responsible for the cost to reinstall them.
The Board of Public Works Monday approved a permit to install two monitoring wells in city sidewalks. The city incurs no cost for the wells or their monitoring.
The permit was submitted by Tim Koeller, owner of the property and building at 1629 Ninth St., which is now used by Monroe One Hour Cleaners, Inc. As owner of the property, Koeller is the person responsible for any contamination.
The site used to be a gas station. Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder said the contamination is most likely from underground gas holding tanks which were removed.
"Monitoring of contamination has been ongoing since removal of the tanks," Finkenbinder said. "We're trying to find out if the plume has moved or not."
The monitors will be installed on the south side of Ninth Street, across the road from Koeller's property.
BT2, Inc., headquartered in Madison, will install the monitoring wells and check the ground water. The company presented a certificate of insurance to the city which will cover any damages to city property.
BT2 provides comprehensive civil and environmental engineering services.
Director of Public Works Kelly Finkenbinder said monitors are not a hazard and are installed at sidewalk level. Jerry Ellefson, superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, said well covers are locked down and pose no threat of being opened by the public.
The monitors will remain for three to five years. If reconstruction on Eighth/Ninth streets displaces the monitors, BT2 is responsible for the cost to reinstall them.