Environmental Cleanup

On average residential cleanups only involving soil are approximately $9,000.00. These cleanups normally take two weeks because of a waiting period with soil sample results from the lab. If the tank has failed inspection, the property must be reported to the state. At that time the property will be issued a case or “spill” number. An investigation, remediation and closure report is mandated in order to lift the spill number issued by the state. The process for a soil remediation is as follows:

Day One: We have to remove the tank; we then remove all contaminated soil and stock pile on top of plastic. Utilizing a special tool (PID Meter) we will only remove all soil above acceptable levels of TPHC (total petroleum hydro carbons). Once we feel we have removed all the contaminated soil we will take soil samples from the side walls and base of the tank excavation. These samples are called Post Excavation. Post Excavation Samples prove that the tank void soils previously contaminated have been removed and the remaining soils are free of any hydro carbons. We will then bring in certified clean soil and backfill void. The soil must be certified because this proves to the state we are only bringing in clean fill and the documented amount. We then take a sample from the contaminated stockpile, this is called a waste classification. The waste classification is analyzed and the results are sent to a facility that will accept the contaminated soil. We will then cover the contaminated stockpile with plastic.

Day Two: Post Excavation & Waste Classification normally take 7-14 days. Once we have permission from the soil disposal facility we will then load out contaminated soil into trucks and bring it to the facility where it is burned, removing all hazardous chemicals from soil.

Day Three: We then return to the property to clean up the site. Next we take all clean fill receipts, soil & sludge manifests, scrap disposal documentation, pictures taken throughout the project, analytic results of soil samples, a written day by day diary of the worked performed and scope of work completed, bind together with a memorandum of agreement and submit to the state. This is called a Closure Report, once the state has reviewed this report they will then issue a (NFA) No Further Action letter lifting the spill or case number.

Upon knowledge of a potential leaking tank, Tank Masters highly recommends that you contact your homeowner’s insurance company immediately. If you have a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, most insurance companies in general will pay for third party liability coverage’s when third party contamination is encountered. Third party means that someone else’s property has been compromised. In the event that your neighbor’s property or the town’s property are affected, it would be considered third party. In the event that ground water has been affected it to would be also be considered third party as the State owns the ground water. Tank Masters standard operating procedure, is to leave the tank on the premises (if possible) for the insurance company so they can visually check the tank for themselves. The tank is normally secured on site and removed when the investigation work is completed.

Click on first thumbnail image to view full size step by step procedure