Contaminants removed from gas station on Government

Although the Shell gas station at 3575 Government St. near Acadian Thruway went out of business in 2006, elevated levels of contaminants remained on-site until they were removed this week, says the state Department of Environmental Quality. Last February a contractor excavated the old underground tanks and discovered high levels of gas-related contaminants, says DEQ spokesman Rodney Mallett. The testing was protocol and is required of all contractors who do such work, Mallett says. The contaminants and contaminated dirt were removed and new dirt replaced them, Mallett says. The work was paid for by the DEQ’s Underground Storage Tank Fund, which the gas station was eligible for since the owner had paid into the fund’s insurance premium. Mallett says the gas station will be monitored over the next year to ensure no more contaminants remain on-site. —Adam Pearson