Walla Walla Gas Station Owners Face $4.8 Million Penalty for 2023 Leak
Walla Walla, WA – The owners of the Marcus Whitman Hotel are facing a $4.8 million enforcement order from the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) following a critically important gasoline leak discovered in September 2023. The leak, estimated at 2,500 gallons, contaminated groundwater and impacted neighboring buildings in downtown Walla Walla, prompting evacuations and remediation efforts.
Stillwater Holdings, the responsible party, informed Ecology in May that they were unable to fund further cleanup work, shifting the financial burden and oversight to the state. while legally obligated to address the pollution, emergency response, and full remediation, the company’s financial constraints triggered ecology’s July 2024 enforcement order.This order mandates immediate action to mitigate harmful vapors and remove contaminated water from affected properties.
The incident began with reports of gas odors at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, leading to its evacuation. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of potentially dangerous vapors and gasoline in the hotel basement and extending to nearby structures. Emergency responders ventilated the buildings to prevent an explosion and pumped drainage systems – known as sumps - to reduce vapor concentrations.Ecology’s enforcement order requires Stillwater holdings to comply with stringent cleanup standards and timelines. The $4.8 million penalty covers the costs the state will incur to complete the necessary environmental remediation, protecting public health and the local habitat. The agency will oversee the removal of contaminated water and the ongoing monitoring of groundwater quality.
