Drilling continues in WW, crews begin moving response equipment
By Dan Thesman on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
News release from city of Walla Walla
WALLA WALLA – On Tuesday, a crew from Western States Drilling drilled and placed a 25-foot-deep monitoring well on the south side of Rose Street, east of 2nd Avenue. Aspect Consulting staff tested the well for volatile organic compounds and petroleum sheen at 1-foot intervals; no VOCs or sheen were detected, indicating the gasoline plume does not extend to this location.
The crew is drilling additional monitoring wells today. Sections of Rose and 2nd remain closed to accommodate the drilling operations; however, the businesses along these roadways are open, and are accessible via the sidewalks.
Clean Harbors began transferring frac tanks and barrels from the north parking lot of the Marcus Whitman Hotel to the parking lot of the 106 building, north of Rose. This work is being done to permit the full reopening of 2nd Avenue this week. The discharge of filtered water to the municipal wastewater treatment system was halted to allow the movement of the equipment.
Ventilation continues to mitigate volatile organic compounds from the affected buildings.
This update is based on information provided by Washington Department of Ecology and Aspect Consulting. City staff will continue to provide these updates on the City website (https://www.wallawallawa.gov/gasoline) as we receive additional details.
Photo shows crew drilling a monitoring well near 2nd and Rose on Oct. 18, 2023.
