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$1M clean-up along Warren's Bear Creek drain 'nearly done' after fuel leak found

Posted at 8:42 AM, Feb 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-10 08:42:47-05

WARREN, Mich. (WXYZ) — A $1 million clean-up along the Bear Creek in Warren is nearly completed after fuel was found to be leaking into it.

Old diesel fuel from a gas station on Mound Road was found leaking into the drain.

The clean-up is expected to be done in a week.

“Our office discovered this contamination in the drain and we immediately began to work with the property owner, who has been a great corporate citizen. With this action, we have eliminated a source of pollution in one of our drains, which ultimately carries water out to Lake St. Clair. There is no one single action needed to keep our water clean, but many actions, taken together across our region is what makes the difference,” said Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller in a press release.

The leak into the drain was discovered in March 2019. Officials say a containment trench has been created that will capture any potential leaks from the gas station, allowing them to be pumped out before entering the drain.

“During this work, it was important to us to not only protect the drain, but to work with the owner of this BP station to allow them to remain in operation. It is a very busy truck refueling center along one of our most utilized industrial corridors. We did not want to interrupt the industry in that area. Serving as a component of economic vitality for our residents is our goal, along with keeping our water clean,” Miller said.