ORLANDO, Fla. — A bad batch of gasoline was reported at a Sunoco gas station at the Taste of New York food mart on Edgewater Drive, officials said.
The owners said they hope the incident doesn't drive down an already declining business at their store.
One of the owners said their pumps were shut down for several days, but the problem was fixed.
Customer Robert Nash said he expects quality gasoline for his pickup, so he wasn't too pleased to learn that just a few weeks ago the same pump he used to fill up was ordered shut off by the state.
"Had I known, I would have kept going," said Nash.
A report from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services shows inspectors collected samples of premium gas from the pumps in September and sent them to a lab for testing.
The tests found the fuel was contaminated with water, sediment and/or other suspended matter.
"(It’s) very concerning. You wouldn't want to have water in your tank. You want to keep your engine running as long as you can," said Nash.
A “stop sale” order was issued, and last month, the business was hit with an administrative complaint.
At a hearing, one of the owners testified that he didn’t know there was a problem with his gasoline, but he's since paid $5,000 to fix the problem and replace the fuel.
A follow up by the state has since allowed the gas station to reopen, but it's all an eye-opener for drivers, such as Nash.
"I guess I should pay more attention," he said.
A state report shows the store has had no other problems in the past when it comes to its fuel.
The final order issued by the state this month fined the business $100, but that punishment could increase to civil action if more problems are found.
Cox Media Group
