PARACHUTE, Colo.—State officials say high benzene levels have been detected in the groundwater hundreds of feet from the presumed source of a hydrocarbon leak near Parachute.
The Williams Cos. reported contaminated soil in March. It said this week that a failed pressure gauge on a pipeline was the source of the leak, but the state is still investigating.
State officials said Friday that sampling from a new monitoring well about 1,400 feet from the presumed source and about 10 feet from Parachute Creek found benzene in the groundwater at 340 parts per billion. The drinking water standard is 5 parts per billion.
Meanwhile, state officials say surface water samples taken April 6-7 where Parachute diverts water for an irrigation reservoir showed 0.71 and 0.49 parts per million of diesel range organics.
