WALLA WALLA, Wash.-After six-weeks the emergency and initial cleanup of a gas leak under the Whitman Hotel in Walla Walla is transitioning into a long-term remediation phase.
Cleanup and detection efforts had been ongoing since the gas leak was discovered on September 14.
In the six-weeks since the leak was detected, gas and water have been pumped out of the basement of the Whitman, a series of wells have been drilled for testing and the source of the leak was found to be a nearby gas station.
According to the City of Walla Walla, the response will now transition from detection and containment of the leak to long-term remediation, with the Department of Ecology’s Toxic Cleanup Program as the lead agency.
In order to move into the remediation phase of the gas leak the extent of the leak needed to be determined and a plan for addressing Volatile Organic Compounds in the affected areas needed to be developed.
The extent of the underground gas leak was determined through drilling and groundwater testing according to Walla Walla’s press release and an effective VOC mitigation plan for the surrounding buildings has been implemented.
During the remediation phase, the wells that were drilled in the area of the leak will be continuously monitored to track the underground gas plume and detect any movement.
According to the City, TCP staff will be meeting with staff from the Whitman Hotel and other nearby businesses and buildings to review the VOC mitigation plan, as well as all other aspects of the ongoing cleanup.
The City of Walla Wall will continue to provide updates throughout the remediation phase of the cleanup process online through the city website and through social media.
