NEW BERLIN, WI — The state of emergency declared in New Berlin when oil was found contaminating the city’s stormwater system on March 19 ended on Wednesday with much of the spill now cleaned, according to a news release from the city.
The oil spill came from 3890 South Moorland Road, the city said, which is listed online as Moorland Auto Repair. The spill happened on March 16 and went unreported for three days until a 911 call reported a strong smell of oil in the city’s stormwater pond behind the post office and just east of the end of Howard Avenue, according to the city’s news release.
New Berlin Mayor David Ament declared an emergency on March 20 geared at expediting the cleanup process. The emergency order also prohibited people from entering the cleanup area.
Find out what's happening in New Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Cleanup efforts were soon handed over to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources after the spill was discovered because of its size, said New Berlin Emergency Management Deputy Director Jim Burns in a phone call to Patch on Wednesday.
The state agency is still calculating the final costs of the spill and will be required to pursue cost recovery, said Riley D. Newumann, a project manager and regional spill coordinator for the DNR, in an email to Patch on Thursday.
Click Here: rc toulon rugby jersey
Find out what's happening in New Berlinwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Moorland Auto Repair was not responsive to Patch’s request for comment.
Employees at the auto repair shop were moving a 350-gallon oil container when it was damaged and started leaking into the pavement, the mayor’s emergency declaration said. The oil tracked over 900 feet underground before ending up in the stormwater pond 1,700 feet away from the shop, a report by The Waukesha Freeman noted.
The city said some oil may remain in the area but it is expected to naturally attenuate over time.
In the news release, Mayor David Ament thanked the company contracted for cleanup efforts, Clean Harbors. Ament also thanked the city departments for their quick response and the DNR.
“We also appreciate all of the citizens heeding the emergency orders to stay out of that area so that no one was harmed,” said Burns. “And no pets were harmed through the contact of that oil during this cleanup and restoration process. So we really appreciate the public heeding those orders.”
Related: State Of Emergency Called In New Berlin After Oil Spill Reaches Pond
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.