Water access to Galesburg’s Lake Storey is currently closed after a fuel pump malfunctioned on state-owned property last week, leaking diesel fuel into the area.
Cathy Kwiatkowski, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services said the Feb. 8 leak was caused by a “sudden and unforeseeable malfunction” of a fuel pump generator on CMS surplus property at 2100 S. Lake Storey Road.
“Upon learning of the malfunction, fuel was cut off to the generator and the leak ceased,” Kwiatkowski said.
The city of Galesburg announced Tuesday that “out of an abundance of caution” all water access to the lake will be closed to allow for cleanup and prevent residents and pets from potential exposure to water contamination.
Kwiatkowski said the leak is estimated to be “relatively small” – less than 300 gallons affecting less than 5% of the city-owned lake.
“The faulty generator has been removed and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services is working with remediation experts to address any potential residual issues,” she said.
Remediation efforts are expected to be completed within two weeks.
CMS is working with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the city of Galesburg, and a remediation contractor to resolve the situation.
According to a release from the city of Galesburg, the Galesburg Fire Department responded to 3150 Log City Trail near South Lake Storey on Feb. 8 and utilized large absorbent booms to initially mitigate the spill.
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