Seeping gasoline caused sewer issues, evacuations in Ventura, officials say

Ventura officials said Saturday night a sewer line issue that caused evacuations and road closures on Thursday in the city's coastal Pierpont neighborhood was caused by gasoline that seeped into the sewage system.

Ventura city spokesperson Jen Buckley said the substance was identified Saturday by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. City officials said in a news alert the gasoline leaked from a nearby property into the sewer line. Buckley said the city and others continue to investigate the exact source.

The hazardous materials concerns emerged Thursday after Pierpont residents complained about a gas odor. About 60 emergency workers and four hazardous materials teams responded. Officials issued evacuations, closed down roads and decided to dismiss students early at Pierpont Elementary School.

Thursday's hazmat incident came nearly a week after initial odor reports.

Ventura Water received early reports of gas-like odors on Sept. 13 near Bayshore Avenue, Saturday's news release said. City water and fire crews investigated and sampled the sewer line for multiple days. They found trace amounts of the odor but couldn't locate or identify its origin.

On Thursday, all the steps were precautionary and the hazardous materials never reached the level of imminent threat, city fire officials said. They said steps to ventilate the sewer lines Thursday were successful and brought down the concentration levels, allowing evacuations to be lifted.

A day after the incident, city officials said the odor had been traced to a sewer line on Monmouth Way in the Pierpont community. They said an unknown substance seeped into the sewer line. They also announced the EPA was assisting the city in the investigation.

Buckley said Saturday the continuing investigation will involve agencies including the Ventura County Public Health Department. In their news alert, city officials also said the owner of the property that appears to be the source of the gas is investigating the exact cause and location of the leak.

Ventura Water crews are continuing to work on a 300-foot section of the sewer line. Road closures remain at Monmouth Way and the southbound 101 exit. Repairs are expected to be finished by Monday.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com .

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This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Seeping gasoline caused sewer issues, evacuations in Ventura, officials say