Fumes Reported at Wilmette Site

Preparation for the 5 story building in Wilmette's downtown is continuing. Tuesday the developers removed fuel tanks from the former Ford dealership property. At least 3 surrounding businesses reported smelling fumes that day or the next morning when they opened their shops. One person smelled strong fumes this morning and was briefly dizzy. This morning I went by the local businesses there and could still smell fumes in two of them.

When one business smelled the fumes yesterday, coming from near their sewer line, one of the main lines for the block which runs under their building to the street, they called the village. Wilmette Plumbing Inspector Bob Silvus told them that the odor would be around for "3 or 4 days", to put water in their floor drains, open their doors and windows and run fans.

I called Mr. Silvus this morning and asked him why businesses were reporting fumes coming from their sewer system right after the old fuel tanks had been removed from the old property. He said the two systems were completely disconnected. I asked him why then, did he advise the business to pour water down their floor drains? He said it was just to be on the safe side in case of a sewer smell. He said the fuel smell would have been airborne. I asked him weren't their specific regs for removing fuel tanks? He said yes, that was under the state fire marshall. I said were they and the state EPA there? He said yes. Pending response from the EPA I will post that.

Last night one owner heard hissing sounds from the construction site adjoining a parking lot, and alarmed, called Nicor. According to 2 owners Nicor checked its lines for leaks but found none, and the smell was not natural gas.

The Wilmette Fire Dept. was also called. When I get their report I will update the site.

Additionally yet another business reported hearing hissing sounds a couple of weeks ago and called the police. Apparently it was a leaky oxygen valve, which may also have been the source of last night's hissing. Note the picture, taken this morning, from a parking lot between the library and post office.