State shuts down pumps after water found in gas

A Decatur gas station shut down pumps after discovering their premium gas lines were contaminated with water.

Some drivers who got premium gas at one DeKalb County station got an unplanned expense, and state officials have taken action.

Three customers of a Valero gas station on West Howard Avenue in Decatur ended up with repair bills,  Channel 2 Action News reported. Investigators found water in the premium fuel.

Agriculture department officials shut down the station’s premium and midgrade pumps Monday, the station reported.

A Valero station in Decatur had some contaminated gas, officials said. (Credit: Channel 2 Action News)

Credit: Channel 2 Action News

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Credit: Channel 2 Action News

“It would start up, and then it would just die,” one customer said of how his car reacted to the gas.

One man said he paid a $1,500 repair bill after his mechanic found contamination. A woman said she had a $600 repair bill.

The manager said he is discussing the situation with his supplier. He said nothing in the supplier reports indicated the fuel was bad.

The manager also told the station he would meet with every customer who has high bills due to the problem. And a state inspector has retested the gas.

“I would prefer that this be handled and just do the right thing and pay for our car repairs,” customer Ashley Williams said. “I’m out $700. And a lot of people are out a lot more.”