by Kim Gebbia
FAIRVIEW, Tenn- A Fairview man thought he might have struck black gold when crude oil started seeping from his Fairview front yard, but unlike the movies this oil isn't bringing in the bucks. Instead, the leak could end up costing the homeowner thousands.
John Gouldener bought the home for the land and beautiful creek that runs through the front of the property. But about a week ago he noticed something odd- the smell of oil and a rainbow like sheen on top of the creek.
"As I came home that night I could smell the oil you can smell now," he said.
No one can pinpoint exactly where the oil is coming from. One theory is that Gouldener's new water well hit a rare underground oil patch in Fairview.
"In this area no one has ever heard of this happening before," he said.
And no one seems to know when or if the oil leak will stop. Booms are in place to catch it, but that's only a temporary fix.
Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation officials have been out to the site several times and said they are monitoring the oil in this creek, but if it continues it will be up to the homeowner to pay the expense of clean up cost and back filling his own water well.
The well was put in following all state standards, but under Tennessee law if a well hits salt water, gas, oil or anything that will contaminate drinking water, the homeowner is responsible for closing off the well. That would cost Gouldener thousands and leave his retirement home without a water source.
"I guess when the state says its damaging the environment something will have to be done," said Gouldener.
So far, no environmental damage has been reported, only that neighbors downstream should not let their animals drink water out of the creek while the oil is leaking.
TDEC is monitoring the oil to make sure that it does not reach any dangerous levels. They say it seems to be tapering off since it started last week.
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