Trace Amounts Of Benzene Found In Parachute Creek

PARACHUTE, Colo. (AP) — The Williams Co. has detected benzene in Parachute Creek, close to where it reported finding natural gas liquids near its natural gas processing plant in Parachute last month.

Williams said Thursday that samples showed benzene at a maximum of 2.8 parts per billion, which is below the safe drinking water standard of 5 parts per billion. It says the benzene was detected about 1,200 feet downstream of a failed pressure gauge that it says was the source of the natural gas liquids.

The carcinogen hadn't previously been detected in the creek since the liquids were reported.

Williams says no benzene was found where the town of Parachute diverts water for irrigation.

State officials say Williams now is installing systems to strip benzene from water in the creek.

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