There was an oil spill in New Fairfield last week on Mountain Laurel Drive. 

First Selectman Pat Del Monaco provided an update on the clean up and remediation of the 800 gallon oil spill.  She says the rapid response by the New Fairfield Fire Department, Mitchell Oil and state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection means the effects of the spill have been limited. 

Soil testing and removal continued until DEEP concluded that all soil that exceeds allowable limits for petroleum was removed.  Containment booms and absorbent pads were placed in Shortwoods Brook to capture any oil that entered the water.  Water sampling of the brook will continue to monitor any future migration of contaminants. 

By statute, DEEP is required to test all drinking water wells within 500 feet of the spill.  If a well falls within the 500 foot radius, residents were notified by DEEP’s contractor, GeoInsight, and the well will be tested quarterly for at least one year.  Due to the rapid response and spill location, DEEP does not expect to find widespread contamination of drinking water in the area.