Traces of gasoline found in contaminated Clarkson area water
CLARKSTON, Mich. - Contaminated water has been found in the Clarkston area after the state discovered traces of gasoline.
It is so bad, the state is actually providing free water until it can be resolved. But one family has had their lives have been turned upside down and they are worried about the damage that has already been done.
Christine Robinson was shocked to learn there was gasoline found in her water.
"Holy cow we have been drinking and consuming this water, using it for cooking and bathing," Robinson said.
She says in 2014 a concerned neighbor felt his water smelled funny so he took it to the Oakland County Health Department to be tested.
It turns out there were trace levels of gasoline in their water and multiple properties on Maple Drive in Clarkston. But according to the latest letter from the Department of Environmental Quality, the Robinson's water tested with the highest levels, exceeding the water advisory level.
"What do you do," Robinson said. "It's your life support. What do you do."
The Robinson family can no longer drink the water and are even afraid to bathe in it.
For the last several months the have been forced to drink, bathe and cook with jugs of water the DEQ sends now them for free.
"I want to be able to get up and get in the shower, turn it on, brush my teeth from the faucet instead of a bottle of water," said Corie Robinson. " It is just inconvenient."
The source, according to state, is the Mt. Clark Citgo gas station on Dixie Highway which is basically at the end of the Robinson's road.
Owner Munir Tarraf confirmed a leak in a pipe, but he claims it was contained.
"The state came here to check leak what we have," Tarraf said. "We have nothing to do with that. It’s a contained leak. How it can go outside - it doesn't even go into the soil. It stays inside the pipe, so we have nothing to do with it."
The owner is working to fix the leak, but Terry Golla, who handles remediation for the DEQ, claims the damage has already been done. The ground water and the well is already contaminated.
The state is now working to find them another water supply.
Christine, who is now dealing with several health issues, just wants to be hooked up to the city's water supply.
"I can't even sell my home with contaminated water," she said. "So we're stuck."
Christine said the state wanted them to dig a well instead of hooking them up to the city's system. Golla says they plan to dig it deeper but Christine is worried it will happen again.