Don't Let An Underground Storage Tank Become a Costly Problem

Don’t Let Underground Storage

Tanks Become a Costly Problem…(Commercial, Industrial, Residential)

Time is Running Out For Your Underground

Storage Tanks (U.S.T.’s) AND YOU!

PetroJerseyIndustries.com

http://petrojerseyindustries.com/

IT IS TIME FOR PROPER

STORAGE TANK1. RETROFIT

2. REMOVAL

3. REPLACEMENT

Prevent Costly Fines And Cleanup Costs!

What You Don’t Know CAN Cost YOU!

FOR SERVICE CALL

(800) 707-2022

PUMP & TANK DIVISION



Petro Jersey Industries, Inc.

Serving The Petroleum

And Related Industries

1-800-707-2022

Keeping Our Environment Clean…One Step at a Time



Petro Jersey Industries, Inc. Since 1975We provide various services to meet all your needs. Serving Northern

New Jersey, Ocean through Bergen Counties. We provide the following

services:TANK REMOVAL

UNDERGROUND TANK REMOVAL

ABOVEGROUND TANK REMOVAL

TANK INSTALLATIONS

SANDFILL TANKS

TANK CLOSURE

TANK ABANDONMENT

SITE REMIDIATION

TANK INVESTIGATION

TANK LOCATION

SOIL TESTING

SOIL SAMPLING

TANK CLEANING

RE-PIPING

TANKS OF ALL TYPES AND SIZES

RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQ: How long does an oil tank last?

Most tanks have a life span of approximately twenty to forty years,

depending on the type of materials used to make it

Q: What should I do if I have an oil tank on my property?

The state of New Jersey now requires homeowners to deal with their

own oil tanks. We can help you determine what to do when you are

ready to deal with it, just give us a call.

Q: I have an existing tank on my property. It’s empty and not

being used. What do I need to do?

Unused oil tanks can rust and corrode at some period of time. They

can contaminate the surrounding soil or collapse and cause a

stinkhole.

FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries


Q: How big is an underground tank?

Generally, most residential tanks have been made to hold 500 to

1,000 gallons of oil

Q: What are my options when dealing with an old tank?

Basically, there are two ways to deal with an old tank: one way is to

close or abandon, which involves cleaning and filling the tank.

Another option would be to remove it.

Q: If I am buying a new home with an in-use underground tank,

is it necessary to test the tank for leaks, even though the owner

has valid tank insurance?

Yes, many realtors/attorneys will advise you incorrectly by telling

you it’s not necessary. However, if you do not test the tank before

purchasing, you may expose yourself to substantial environmental

liability that is not covered.



Q: Why do underground heating oil tanks corrode?

Corrosion is caused by the inherent tendency of iron based metals to

rust. When and how fast steel turns to rust is dependent on a wide

variety of variables such as physical location of the tank, the

thickness of the tank, amount of water in the tank, age of the tank ,

soil moisture, pH acidity, backfill material and any etching or

damage occurring during the tank’s installation.

Q: Are residential underground heating oil tanks regulated by

the law?

If you have an underground home heating oil tank installed at a

residential property, your tank is exempt from Federal Regulations.

Should a home heating oil tank release oil into the environment, then

at that point the owner of the tank is no longer exempt from the

provisions of environmental regulation governing uncontrolled

discharges or releases into the environment. (continued)




the law? (continued)

If you have an underground home heating oil tank installed at a

residential property, your tank is exempt from Federal Regulations.

Should a home heating oil tank release oil into the environment, then

at that point the owner of the tank is no longer exempt from the

provisions of environmental regulation governing uncontrolled

discharges or releases into the environment, then at that point the

owner of the tank is no longer exempt from the provisions of

environmental regulation governing uncontrolled discharges or

releases into the environment. At the time it is discovered that an oil

tank has leaked, the property owner would need to take reasonable

measurers to address the source of the leak/spill and prevent it from

spreading and the incident reported to the appropriate agency.

(continued)




the law? (continued)

In New Jersey the governing agency is the New Jersey Department

of Environmental Protection, (NJDEP) not the Environmental

Protection Agency, (EPA) which is a Federal agency and does not

have immediate jurisdiction for these types of incidents. If a heating

oil discharge has occurred at your home, regardless of the quantity,

the owner is required to report the leak to the New Jersey

Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

Calling the NJDEP’s toll free 24 hour Environmental Action Hot

Line at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337) as soon as a leak is

discovered. After discovery of the tank leak, a subsurface

investigation (soil borings and testing) would have to be completed

and contingent on the petroleum levels appropriate corrective action

(i.e., cleanup/remediation) would need to be initiated to address the

tank leak.FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries


Q: How do I know if a residential property has an underground

storage tank?

Typically (85%) of the time there are tell-tale signs of an in ground

oil tank such as a visible vent and/or filler pipes, disconnected oil

lines coming through the foundation wall which were the supply and

return lines from the heating oil tank, a concrete channel may be

visible in the basement floor that leads to the furnace area.. Any of

these physical signs is a good indication of a tank that has been

removed or, there is still a tank in the ground.

To be more certain hire an environmental professional who is trained

to look for this evidence as well as other key signs and who can also

be equipped with a metal detector and a radio frequency locator or

ground penetrating radar unit to evaluate a property for a suspect

tank (UST).



Q: We found an underground fuel oil tank, what do we do now?

The phrase let the buyer beware should be listened too and an

appropriate investigation of the tank should be performed. If this is a

real estate transaction, under no condition purchase the house, no

matter how “good the deal is” until the tank is removed and/or

ground is tested by a licensed environmental company for any

contamination. If the current owner does not have any paperwork on

the tank, then assume such paperwork does not exist and an

evaluation of the tank will be required.

It should be noted that the vast majority of oil tanks in the ground

are not leaking, but tanks like roofs are an expendable items and

require replacement. In addition if a buyer fails to investigate a tank

and later (after the purchase) finds that the tank has leaked, the cost

for cleanup will be the responsibility of the new owner.



Q: How do you test the tank?

To investigate for the presence of petroleum, three to four soil

borings are advanced around the perimeter of the buried tank. Each

soil sample is evaluated on the site for petroleum and the sample

indicating the highest field screen reading is submitted to a New

Jersey certified laboratory for testing. Soils borings rely on the

premise that if a tank leaks, oil will be found in the soils next to the

tank. Soil borings also allow you to help quantify the extent of the

oil in the soil b running soil samples for independent laboratory

analysis.



Q: Is it still necessary to test the soil surrounding the tank to

determine whether contamination exists?

If a seller provides a report from a state certified environmental

company with laboratory results from a state certified laboratory

stating that the soil was tested at the time the tank was taken out of

service and filled with sand/gravel or foam, additional soil testing

would not be necessary as long as the soil tests were acquired

from the appropriate locations and analyzed for the proper

laboratory analysis. To verify this answer an environmental

professional should review this report to ensure it is complete and

thorough.

Q: If the seller cannot provide any written reports about soil

testing, should testing be performed?

Many homeowners have discovered soil contamination exists around

their buried abandoned oil tanks that their town or municipality

considered properly decommissioned. (continued)FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries



testing, should testing be performed? (continued)

These homeowners originally purchased property based strictly on

the municipality or town building inspector’s approval and ignored

the fact that soil testing was not performed at the time the

underground heating oil tank was filled with sand, gravel or foam.

Now, the homeowners are selling their homes and they are providing

the buyer with all the municipality’s documents about the buried oil

tank on the property. Since the homeowner provided no documents

about the condition of the soil in the tank excavation, the buyer tests

the soil and discovers levels of contamination (heating oil) in the

area around the underground tank. Even though the homeowner has

all the supporting documentation from the municipality, the

responsibility for cleaning up the contamination rests solely with the

unsuspecting new homeowner. (continued)




testing, should testing be performed? (continued)

The regulations read that whoever owns the property owns the

problem. If there is no written report certifying the soil’s condition,

make sure you test the soil around any abandoned or “properly

closed” heating oil tank before you take possession of the property.

Q: Why test the soil around the tank?If a spill has ever occurred while filling the tank, or if the tank or

piping has or is leaking, residual oil will be present in the soil around

the tank. Analytical data from an independent laboratory provides

third party data concerning the presence or absence of petroleum

around the buried storage tank.



Q: What is the state’s role?

Under state laws, cleanup activities must be conducted for

discharges of heating oil when levels are over NJDEP standards or

groundwater has been impacted. Contaminated soil and water

cleanups may take place with or without state oversight. However, to

obtain final state approval of a cleanup, a “No Further Action” letter

is needed through the NJDEP’s Voluntary Cleanup Program or

UHOT program. This letter is required by mortgage and insurance

companies for most real estate transactions. If a NFA letter is needed

at closing, please ensure that you leave ample time to complete the

cleanup and gain final state approval.. The DEP receives no state

funding to cover the costs for oversight; therefore costs must be paid

by those who require the service. (continued)



Q: What is the state’s role? (continued)

The NJDEP, in turn, reviews cleanup activities and provides final

approval at the conclusion. A property owner may choose to perform

a cleanup without participating in the Voluntary Cleanup Program,

but the matter will remain an open case until the Department can

review the cleanup. Reviews of cleanups conducted outside this

program are conducted on a priority basis, with those sites posing

the greatest environmental risks addressed first. A “no further

action” letter, however, is available only through the Voluntary

Cleanup Program.

Q: What are the steps for cleanup for a heating oil tank leak?

The following are some of the steps a contractor will take to clean

up fuel oil contamination. All individual cleanups will differ

depending on the size of the plume and if groundwater was

encountered. The following steps will help you better understand the

general cleanup process. (continued)FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries



(continued)

If there is an underground storage tank that must be removed, it will

be removed according to local codes and the American Petroleum

Institute’s recommended practices.

Your municipality will require a construction permit in order to

remove the tank. The tank will be thoroughly cleaned and properly

disposed of at recycling/scrap metal facility. Once the tank has been

removed, the contractor will take soil samples to determine if a

release has occurred. A NJDEP certified laboratory will analyze the

samples, and the results will be compared to the NJDEP’s soil

cleanup criteria to determine if remediation is required. (continued)




(continued)

A quick overview of NJDEP standards: If Diesel Range Organics

(DRO) concentrations are detected in excess of 1,000 parts per

million (ppm) in the excavation, the soils must also be tested for

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) or Base Neutral Compounds.

The test will be required on 25 percent of the samples with the

highest DRO concentrations exceeding 1,000 ppm of DRO.

Concentrations of DRO in excess of 5,100 ppm must be remediated.

Concentrations below the 5,100 ppm of DRO may be below NJDEP

soil cleanup criteria, and may not need to be remediated. If

groundwater is encountered the NJDEP may require more testing

before they make this determination. (continued)




(continued)

Once the soil samples are obtained the contractor will be able to

determine the size of the plume and give a cost estimate for the

clean-up. The contractor will then apply for permits and the

remediation process will begin. The contractor will have the soil pre-

approved into a licensed recycling facility so that they can be

recycled properly. After all of the impacted soils are removed the

contractor will take post-excavation soil samples and then backfill

the area with certified clean fill.

You should file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company

as soon as evidence of a leak is discovered. Most policies require at

least prompt notice of a claim, and they may require your assistance

in providing information to the insurer.




(continued)

The language of each individual policy determines if there is

insurance coverage for cleanup of contamination from leaking

residential underground storage tanks. Financial Assistance Grant

and loan programs are available from the State of New Jersey to

provide financial assistance for cleanup costs.

To find out if you are eligible, go to

www.nj.gov/dep/srp/finance/ustfund/, or contact the Division of

Remediation Support, Bureau of Contract and Fund Management, at

(609) 777-0101. Effective Aug. 2, 2006, the Petroleum Underground

Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Program provides

loans and grants to eligible applicants to help finance project costs

for the closure and replacement of a non-leaking residential

underground storage tank. This funding assistance is available

through the EDA.


http://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/finance/ustfund/


Q: The property owner said he never used that tank and it was

there when he bought it, so he or she is not paying for any

testing or removal

Just because the current owner made a bad decision doesn’t mean

you should. Depending on the state where the property is located,

there maybe a construction code requiring a tank that is out of

service for longer than a year to be removed or properly abandoned,

this could help budge the owner to do the right thing and address the

tank issue.

Q: When an oil tank is removed what is a tank certification?

It is typically recommended that all tanks be removed from the

ground when taking a tank out of service. When a tank is removed

and a site assessment soil sampling is performed by a qualified

individual, a professional determination can be put forward as to the

integrity of the tank. Some people refer to the determination as a

Tank CERTIFICATION. (continued)FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries



(continued)

There is no standard certification that is mandated by the EPA or the

NJDEP for residential heating oil tanks and given by an independent

company. What a property owner can receive is a professional

determination from the company performing the tank removal

activities describing what transpired during the tank removal. This

determination can and should contain a statement regarding the

visual integrity of the tank and if the tank did or did not leak.

The site assessment to evaluate whether contamination is present in

the excavation can be carried out in a variety of ways while the tank

is being removed and can consist of the following: Evidence of

contamination can be determined from product odors, product

stained soils, and/or visual evidence of free product. (continued)




(continued)

Inspection of the Underground Storage Tank, (UST), for evidence of

corrosion or perforations once the tank is removed from the ground.

Obtaining soil samples from along the bottom invert of the tank

excavation.

In New Jersey the standard analytical testing method for number two

heating oil is Diesel Range Organic (DRO) EPA Method 8015.

Testing for DRO gives a broad spectrum look as to the total amount

of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. Clarification as to

concentrations of Diesel Range Organics or DRO, can be ascertained

by collection of a soil sample from the tank excavation and

submitting the soil sample or samples to an independent licensed

laboratory for analysis.

(continued)




(continued)

Standard turnaround or completion of sample analysis is ten

business days from the date the laboratory receives the soil sample.

Quicker analysis time frames can be obtained but will be more

expensive than the standard ten day around. Bear in mind that turn

around times for completing soil laboratory analysis is based on

when the laboratory receives/logs in the actual sample or samples.

The laboratory may not pickup and log in the soil sample for twenty-

four hours after the sample is collected from the property.

Q: What is involved with removing an underground heating oil

tank?

There are a variety of required procedures that need to be followed

when a heating oil Underground Storage Tank (UST) is permanently

taken out of service. (continued)FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey Industries



tank?

Any individual who enters a confined space, (an example of a

confined space is an oil tank), must complete a 40-hour training

course with a yearly 8-hour refresher class to certify the individual

for confined space entry.

At a minimum, both American Petroleum Institute, API, standards

and Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA,

regulations should be observed during tank closures. (For the same

reasons that you hire a trained and licensed plumber or electrician,

you should also hire an environmental company fully capable of

servicing your tank needs).

(continued)




tank?

Standard procedures for closing a UST system entail following

American Petroleum Institute, (API), “Recommended Practice 1604,

Removal and Disposal of Used Underground Petroleum Storage

Tanks,” and American Petroleum Institute Publication 2015,

“Cleaning Petroleum Storage Tanks.” Occupational Health and

Safety Administration, (OSHA), 2226 – Excavations, OSHA, 29

CFR Part 1926 Occupational Safety and Health Standards

Excavations, OSHA, 29 CFR Part 1910, Occupational Safety and

Health Standards and National Institute for Occupational Safety and

Health (NIOSH) “Criteria for a Recommended Standard – Working

in Confined Space.” (continued)




tank?

By ensuring that tank removal activities follow the guidelines set

forth by Federal, state and local ordinances and industry

organizations such as the Occupational Health and Safety

Administration (OSHA), National Institute for Occupational Safety

and Health (NIOSH), and the American Petroleum Institute (API), a

property owner is assured that the potential risks relating to

performing tank closure activities are addressed. Local

construction/fire permits are typically required to be applied for

before the tank can be removed.

Once the local permits are approved, it is typical that the local

inspector will need to be onsite for all or a part of the removal

activities. (continued)




tank?

State law requires that before any excavation activities can

commence, a utility mark out will need to be performed. The

company performing the tank removal should call for an

underground mark out Not all underground utilities are covered by

this service. Also, utility mark outs do not include portions of service

lines which are the property owner’s responsibility to maintain. It is

the responsibility of the property owner to identify all underground

utilities which may not be covered by the mark out service.

It is the law in New Jersey and other states, to call for a utility

mark out before you dig. Make sure the company you choose to

remove the tank obtains a mark out confirmation number. It

protects all parties involved.



THE FOLLOWING ARE OIL TANK SERVICES WE

PERFORM:

TANK INVESTIGATION/LOCATION

We come out and do a site investigation. Sometimes with a magnetic

detector; steel rods can verify the length, capacity and direction of a

tank. The norm for most tank locations are under the city sidewalk,

an asphalt driveway, under a lawn; these are all UST (underground

storage tanks). AST (above ground storage tanks) are usually located

in ones basement above the basement floor, or outside above concrete

ground.

Petro Jersey Industries, Inc.



TANK REMOVAL

The procedure for removal of a tank first requires your decision to

have it removed and a building permit is required to do so. The area

over the tank is excavated, all fluids

and sludge are removed from the

exposed tank, the inside of the tank

is cleaned, thank is removed from

ground and inspected for leakage

along with surrounding soil. If there

is no leakage or soil contamination

found, the tank is then transported

to a scrap yard, the hole is filled and the sod is replaced. UST/AST

(Underground/Aboveground Storage Tank Removals) Permit is

obtained after Authorization to Proceed has been signed by

customer. Tank is cut open, the sludge is removed and disposed of,

the tank is squeegee clean, interior surface is rag wiped dry, the cap,



Fill, vent, supply and return pipes are all removed. The job is then

inspected by a town or county inspector, then the tank is removed

and disposed.

TANK INSTALLATION – UNDERGROUND STORAGE

TANKS (UST) OR ABOVE GROUND STORAGE TANKS

(AST)

A local permit is first obtained, for Aboveground Storage Tanks

(AST), a level pad is first installed, then all fittings, gauge and pipes

are installed. The below ground tank if made of resin coatings and

steel, which is rust resistant for long life, corrosion and shock

resistance.



SANDFILL TANKS

First a local permit is obtained, and then an inspection by town

official scheduled after the utility mark is complete. A hole is cut in

the tank to access the tank, all oil, sludge and water is removed and

disposed of, squeegee cleaned, fill-vent pipes removed, cut or scrap

supply/return lines. Tank is filled with proper amount of sand/gravel

and area excavated with clean fill with original topsoil/grade

replaced.

CLOSURE OR ABANDONMENT

This is an option, however, the tank must not have a leak. The top of

the tank is cut open, all fluid and sludge is removed and the inside of

the tank is cleaned. If no leak is found, the tank is then filled with

sand.



SITE REMIDATION

If contamination is round in the surrounding soil, it must be removed

and disposed of. This is removed/disposed of to a licensed facility

and replaced with new soil. The contaminated soil is the result of a

leaking oil tank, damaged oil liner or oil flow.

CLOSURE OR ABANDONMENT

This is an option, however, the tank must not have a leak. The top of

the tank is cut open, all fluid and sludge is removed and the inside of

the tank is cleaned. If no leak is found, the tank is then filled with

sand.



Time Is Running OUT!DON’T LET Underground Storage Tanks

Become A Costly Problem!

As A U.S.T.

Owner/Operator You Must:

RETROFIT!

REMOVE

or

REPLACE!

PREVENT Costly Fines and Cleanup Costs

CALL NOW!

(800) 707-2022

It’s Time To Get On Our ScheduleGet It Done Right The First Time!

PREVENT Costly Fines and Cleanup Costs

CALL NOW!

(800) 707-2022

The N.J.D.E.P. Wants Your RAR(Remedial Action Report)

Contact Petro Jersey Industries!

CALL TODAY!

(800) 707-2022

Our CredentialsNJDEP Licensed

OSHA Trained

Industry Certified



Petro Jersey IndustriesWaiting To Serve You!

Operating From 3 NJ Locations

Montclair – Hackensack – Pt Pleasant Beach

CALL TODAY!(800) 707-2022

Fax: 732-477-7513

[email protected]