SANTA ANA : Gas Leak Poses No Hazard, Officials Say

County environmental officials announced Tuesday that gasoline fuel has been detected in the ground water beneath portions of Brookhurst Street but said that it does not now pose a public health hazard.

The petroleum-based products leaked from tanks at two gas stations and a medical supplies company and were discovered during routine environmental surveys four years ago, said Robert E. Merryman, director of the county’s Environmental Health Division.

According to Merryman, the three business owners who are responsible for the leaks have blamed one another for the contamination and are refusing to clean it up.

“We’re giving them a little more time to rethink their decisions, then we’ll have to go to the district attorney,” Merryman said.

Merryman identified the three companies as: Bowers Cos., 13022 Brookhurst St.; Jet Gas next door, which occupies the rest of the block up to Crosby Avenue; and Andy’s Unocal gas station at 13231 Brookhurst St.

Both Unocal and Bowers have removed the tanks from their properties, Merryman said. However, he said, Jet Gas is still operating tanks.

None of the officials at the three companies could be reached for comment Tuesday.

According to Merryman, the fuel was found at depths of 14 to 17 feet below ground. In some areas, it had seeped into the ground water but apparently did not contaminate any of the drinking water in the area, officials said.

Although there is currently no health threat to the public, Merryman said an earthquake could cause the clay table below the contaminated areas to crack, allowing the fuel to reach the drinking supply.

“This is why it’s important that the responsible parties work together to clean the area as soon as possible, but they are being recalcitrant,” Merryman said.

Merryman said it is unclear how far the spill has spread. “We know it’s across Brookhurst and under all three properties but we don’t know if it has migrated off the sites,” Merryman said.