Gasoline leak in Wadsworth determined to have a minimal public safety impact

WADSWORTH — Gasoline was found in the storm sewers of downtown Wadsworth near Route 94 on Friday. The leak came from a Marathon gas station nearby, Wadsworth Service Director Robert Patrick said. Roads were closed in order for crews to identify and solve the problem without traffic congestion. Central Intermediate School was closed for the day because of its close location to the gasoline leak. Many departments and agencies were involved such as the fire department, hazmat, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and the Bureau of Underground Storage Tanks. "When they found those issues and then once they found the source, then they were able to determine what the best remedy and solution was with the assistance and the guidance from the EPA," Patrick said. Crews traced where the storm sewers go and it led to a pond in the southwest corner of Wadsworth, just outside downtown. Once this was located, efforts were made to control the spill. City crews worked with the EPA and an environmental company for the gas station to flush the storm systems. The gas station is mandated to do further testing, Patrick said. "That private entity is going to have to work to make sure all the problems and issues are solved before they can reopen," Patrick said. Throughout the course of the day, roads began to open back up. The situation was determined to be a minimal public safety risk and hazmat crews found no health issues to that area. The EPA will be doing work on the pond and see what impacts the leak had on it. Patrick said the way the gasoline leak was handled was a good coordination effort and response by all the departments involved. "To be at this point now in the day and have the issue basically concluded and then have most all the streets open up, I think that's a pretty good job by everyone involved," he said. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.