MINOT, N.D. — It could take more than three years for the Canadian Pacific Railway to remove all of the ammonia-laden groundwater in the area of a Jan. 18 derailment, Minot’s public works director said.
A wire service reported that the railroad is removing about 15 million gallons of groundwater from a subdivision west of the city. The derailment released anhydrous ammonia, which is used in fertilizer, and sent a cloud of gas over the area that killed one person and injured hundreds.
The Minot Public Works and Safety Committee voted unanimously Thursday to allow the railroad to install a 4-inch pipe from the derailment site to a sewer lift station.
Public Works Director Alan Walter said the effect on the city’s sewer system will be negligible.
“The levels of anhydrous ammonia in the water are continuing to drop every day,” he said.
The full City Council, which will meet Monday night, must approve the request.