EDITORS NOTE - On Oct. 25, Bellman Oil Facility general manager Joe Bellman and vice president Jamie Bellman notified the Times-Union that information provided to the newspaper was incorrect. While a representative in the original story that ran spoke about the investigation was quoted, the person is not affiliated with Bellman Oil. The Bellman's also stated that Bellman Oil doesn't own or operate the business located at Ind. 6 and 15.
MILFORD - Indiana Department of Environmental Management is in the early stages of investigating soil and groundwater contamination at the Bellman Oil Facility located at the intersection of Ind. 6 and 15 near Milford.
The Times-Union received a public notice Wednesday about the situation. The county health department was required by law to notify the public of it.
The discovery of oil and gasoline came about after tanks were removed from the facility. Bellman Oil notified IDEM, according to an IDEM representative.
The tanks were removed as part of the state's Underground Storage Tank program.
The incident took place Oct. 18 according to IDEM.
Bellman Oil is required to submit a characterization report within 60 days of the spill.
By IDEM standards, Bellman is considered a "medium priority site".
The area is also not considered to be in a wellhead protection area, though based on the state's geographic information system, there are a couple of wells on the site.The site would be high priority if it affected utilities.
According to an employee with Bellman Oil, the loose oil and gasoline was a result of a spill in 1998 where a couple of 55-gallon tanks leaked.
For more information, per the public notice, contact IDEM at 317-232-8900 or by e-mail at LeakingUST@idem.gov
