storage tank residential

Storage Tanks

“Out of sight, out of mind.” Homeowners with storage tanks may realize they have them but rarely give much thought to the matter. Time passes and before you know it, your heating fuel tank may have exceeded its lifespan. “No, my tank hasn’t leaked, my fuel bill is the same it has always been.” That could very well be the case, but, unless the tank ruptured and fuel loss was quick, most leaks from simple metal fatigue start out as drops and slowly increase. From season to season, you might not notice fuel loss in your bills due to fluctuating prices or usage. Seldom do we look at the quantities and wouldn’t likely realize gallons lost as opposed to gallons burned. At some point, due to home sales inspections, significant buildup of water in the tank, etc., the owner realizes they have a problem! Some have even discovered their leaking tank from fuel oil odor in water at the kitchen sink. Groundwater can be contaminated and leave you with limited (and expensive) options.

Underground tanks are paid little attention. Until a problem occurs, most homeowners assume it will last forever. When a leak is discovered, damage has already been done. Depending on soil types, location of the tank and other variables, heating fuel may travel into basements, crawl spaces, utility piping and of course ground water.

GEC has been successfully removing home, agriculture and commercial storage tanks since its beginning. We offer a “turn-key” process in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. We have all the necessary in-house equipment and materials to complete the project without depending on outside resources and costly markups. GEC will take your project from the actual removal, remediation of a leak, necessary and detailed documentation of all activities, to case closure. As a full service, we provide:

• A site visit to determine the most cost effective and non-intrusive approach to your closure.
• Obtain necessary permits through governing agencies.
• Provide our excavating equipment and experienced operators.
• Field monitoring equipment for safe work areas.
• Site sampling as per individual jurisdictional requirements.
• Closure report for your files indicating no release occurred, or;
• Necessary reports submitted to your governing agency as required.
• Complete investigation and clean up (if necessary) and detailed documentation.
• Competent application to state funds (where available) for reimbursement of clean up costs.

Most states have forms of financial assistance for the investigation and/or clean up of petroleum releases from storage tanks. Each has different requirements for eligibility into their respective programs. It is imperative, whoever you choose for your project, to have a strong knowledge of that state’s requirements. For example, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) manages the Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund (Fund) that is designed to assist tank owners and operators in the event of a product release. The fund operates through multiple approval phases and close interaction between the DEQ case manager and your consultant. This is necessary to obtain maximum financial coverage on your project. The Fund pays for approved costs pertaining to the investigation to determine the severity of the release, potential clean up of impacted areas, and report preparation to the DEQ. Our staff is experienced and knowledgeable of the requirements of this system and can either assist in your application or GEC can manage your entire project from start to finish. GEC is proud of its successful history with this and other funds available, and in most cases, take assignment of reimbursed costs, greatly limiting “out of pocket” expenses of our clients. Call us to confidentially discuss your options with a staff member.