Heating Oil Tanks

While initially inconspicuous, a residential above-ground storage tank (“AST”) for heating oil was scheduled for removal and required environmental closure sampling. Upon inspection, it could be seen that there were signs of leaks at one of the connection points, and the soils beneath were stained with hydrocarbons. Once the AST was emptied and decommissioned, several soil samples were collected from beneath the AST, and upon analysis comparison to applicable standards, contamination was identified.

Once excavations began, it was quickly noted that contaminated soils were not simply limited to the surficial soils. Even though soils were relatively compact, and would limit the spread of contamination, a slow leak over a long period of time would still manage to reach the neighbouring property. All contaminated soils were eventually removed and backfilled with clean gravel and topsoil and appropriate documentation completed and submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

This project demonstrated the importance of proper maintenance and storage of fuels, even on a residential scale. Had the AST been installed with some form of secondary containment, any leaks would have likely been captured and appropriate repairs could have been made, preventing the relatively extensive soil contamination at the Site.