July 3, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 205

For more information, contact John Mohrman, Environmental Response Branch at (302) 739-3694 or Maria Taylor, Chief Community Relations, Information and Education at (302) 739-4506.

DNREC Responds to Subsurface Propane Leak at Rehoboth Mall

The Department has required, and is closely monitoring, remedial action related to propane gas vapors trapped beneath the surface of the southeast end of the Rehoboth Mall parking lot.

Last week officials discovered that propane gas had leaked from an underground line that supplies propane from a 1000-gallon above-ground storage tank directly to the appliances at the Mall's Pizza Hut restaurant. An investigation conducted by the Rehoboth Mall Management Company confirmed the presence of propane gas vapors beneath the asphalt surface of a large portion of the Mall parking lot. Contained vapors were detected in the vicinity of the Pizza Hut which is located on the west side of Route 1 at the intersection of Route 26 (Old Landing Road), just north of Rehoboth Beach.

DNREC directed the Rehoboth Mall Management Company to investigate and remediate the problem. The Mall Management Company has been working closely and cooperatively with DNREC to conduct the investigation and arrange for the best procedure to remedy the problem. The State Fire Marshall and the local fire companies are also staying abreast of the issue and monitoring developments.

The remediation effort will likely involve procedures for venting or burning the vapors.
Three venting stacks that will serve as apparatus for this remediation were installed on Saturday, July 1, with DNREC officials and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company supervising the operation. The venting and flaring is scheduled to begin this week.

The public may experience gas odors or see a small flame at the top of the vent stacks when the remediation effort gets underway. Officials decided that venting and/or flaring the gas is the safest and most effective means of eliminating a potentially dangerous situation. The remediation effort may take several weeks to complete.

Anyone with concerns or questions may call DNREC 's Emergency Response Branch anytime at (800) 662-8802.

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Document Number 40-01/00/07/03

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