Days after a pipeline owned by Bridger Pipeline Co. broke and spilled around 50,000 gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River near Glendive, Mont., elevated levels of benzene showed up in samples taken from a water treatment plant that serves about 6,000 residents.
Dawson County, Mont., in a statement on its website said, "While the elevated levels are above the level for long-term consumption, the scientists who reviewed the data at the Centers for Disease Control [and Prevention] have told the Unified Command that they do not see that domestic use of this water poses a short term public health hazard."
After being warned not to drink or cook with tap water, Eastern Montana residents stocked up on bottled water.
The pipeline is part of the 42,000 barrel-per-day Poplar pipeline system that carries crude oil from producers in eastern Montana and North Dakota. The spill occurred about 5 miles upstream from Glendive.
Saturday's spill is the second involving the Yellowstone River since 2011. An ExxonMobil pipeline broke in July 2011, sending 63,000 gallons of oil into the river.
Company and city officials are working on decontaminating the water.
Meanwhile, Bridger Pipeline Co. will provide 10,000 gallons of drinking water to Glendive until the water is safe to drink again.
