South Burlington, Vermont - January 15, 2008
20 gallons of anti-freeze were improperly discarded in South Burlington. Officials made the discovery just outside an office building on Gregory Drive. The city says a contractor inside was flushing out a boiler system -- and poured the anti-freeze down an outside storm water drain. It ended up in a storm water pond in front of the building.
"A lot of folks wrongly assume that a lot of the drains they see outside go to the waste water treatment plant and that's wrong. They don't. A lot of those lead straight to streams or Lake Champlain itself," said South Burlington Stormwater Superintendent Tom DiPietro.
Fortunately, this type of anti-freeze is less toxic than others. And since little made it past the storm water pond, officials say there should not be any significant environmental damage. No fish or wildlife was harmed.
"Luckily this was here to catch it," said DiPietro, pointing at the stormwater pond on the property.
The pond is expected to be cleaned up. And the building's owner, Bob Miller, could face state and city fines.
For proper disposal tips, visit this website: www.smartwaterways.org
Darren Perron - WCAX News
