Heating Oil Leaks into Bedens Brook

An estimated 600 to 900 gallons of heating oil escaped from a home oil tank off Great Road, with a significant amount spilling into Bedens Brook on Monday evening, April 8.

The Montgomery Township Health Department recommends that people and pets not wade or play in the Bedens Brook between Great Road and Cherry Hill Road until further notice.

Photo caption: Bedens Brook in Montgomery Township.

Montgomery Township Police and Somerset County Haz Mat responded to a complaint of fuel oil odor and sheen on Bedens Brook at Mountain View Road on April 8. The Haz Mat team traced the source to a home oil tank off Great Road. Haz Mat workers pumped the remaining oil from the tank, however, a significant amount of oil remains in the ground.

The NJ Department of Environmental Protection and Somerset County Haz Mat have placed a series of absorbent booms across Bedens Brook from the source downstream to Mountain View and to Cherry Hill Road. Clean-up. Soil remediation continues.

Residents should report any fuel oil odors or sheen on Bedens Brook to the health department during regular business hours, M-F, 8 am to 4:30 pm, at (908) 359-8211 ext. 227 or to Montgomery Police after business hours at (908) 359-3222.

Particularly important would be reports of odor or sheen downstream (east of) Cherry Hill Road, as that would indicate further movement.