City of Chicago officials suspended the sale of gasoline at a South Side Citgo station Wednesday after testing showed tanks contained watered-down fuel.
Inspectors from the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection checked the gas pumps at the station at 3700 W. 111th St. after complaints were made to 19th Ward Alderman Matt O’Shea, according to an announcement from his office Thursday.
Underground storage tanks at the station contained at least four inches of water, according to the release.
A message left at a number for the Citgo station was not immediately returned.
Citations were issued for each of six pumps that dispense regular, mid-grade and premium, according to the alderman’s office. Citations like this come with a fine of between $50 and $2,000 per pump.
Inspectors “red tagged” the pumps, which will be unusable until they can be tested again by the city, according to O’Shea’s office. The Citgo station is only legally allowed to sell fuel from two diesel pumps.
The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection licenses and regulates businesses in the city.
The South Side alderman is reminding residents of the ward to be aware of the situation when filling up their cars.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.