The gas leak in Ventura prompts the city to declare a local emergency

The Ventura City Council declared a local emergency Tuesday over the fuel leak at the Sinclair gas station, seeking federal help for cleanup, testing and other efforts following the incident.

The city is seeking assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act, which authorizes the Governor's Director of Emergency Services to provide financial assistance to repair and restore damaged public facilities and infrastructure.

City Manager Bill Ayub said during a special meeting Tuesday that the city has spent more than $1.5 million to haul contaminated wastewater, clean the sewer line and install equipment. Over the next six months, the cost of installing equipment, ensuring traffic control and building a security fence is expected to exceed $760,000.

“There is contaminated wastewater that has been transported from the site for treatment. It was very costly,” Ayub said.

When did the leak at the Sinclair gas station in Ventura start?

City officials were first alerted to a potential problem on Sept. 13, when residents at the end of Bayshore Avenue reported a smell of gasoline coming from their homes in the Pierpont neighborhood. Crews from Ventura Water and the Ventura Fire Department responded but were unable to find the source and the smell dissipated, Ayub said.

On September 19, hydrocarbons were discovered in the sewer system after residents reported that odors had increased in the area of Bayshore Avenue. Residents were evacuated from the area and returned later in the day.

Then on Sept. 20, the state Environmental Protection Agency confirmed the presence of gasoline in the sewer system that had spilled from the Sinclair gas station at Monmouth Way and Harbor Boulevard.

On September 22, approximately 150 Pierpont residents were evacuated when elevated gas levels were again detected on Bayshore Avenue south of Peninsula Street. More than 4,000 other coastal district residents were warned they might have to leave but were ultimately allowed to stay in their homes. All evacuation orders were canceled the same day.

“It’s basically a bomb under the streets of our city,” Ayub said at the meeting. “Fortunately, the quick intervention of our emergency responders was able to prevent any further problems from occurring in addition to some noxious smells.”

Why declare a local emergency?

By declaring a local emergency, the City is requesting assistance in responding to hazardous materials, inspecting sewers, moving contaminated wastewater off-site for treatment and disposal, testing for hazardous materials, and other damage.

According to a city staff report, it is unlikely the city will receive the aid unless there is a state disaster declaration.

It is estimated that about 2,000 gallons of gasoline seeped into the ground beneath the gas station and entered the sewer system, Ayub said.

The gasoline entered the sewer system through existing cracks in the system or through cracks that appeared during the emergency due to the forced action of the gasoline, he said.

Is the gas station open?

The gas station is currently closed and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board is overseeing cleanup efforts in collaboration with the gas station owner, Ayub said.

The owner must specify the extent of the repairs, Ayub said.

He said cleanup efforts would likely not begin for several months.

The station owner must submit a plan to the water quality control agency to determine how far the fuel may have traveled underground. The work is expected to include collecting soil and groundwater samples and is due by Oct. 24, officials said in a letter to the owner.

Council members praised city workers' efforts during Tuesday's special meeting.

“This is a terrible thing that happened,” said Mayor Joe Schroeder, whose District 7 includes the Pierpont area. “I was really impressed by the dedication of the police, fire departments and everyone else. … It didn’t go unnoticed.”

The gas leak in Ventura prompts the city to declare a local emergency

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