Don't Let Underground Storage - Tanks Become a Costly Problem (Commercial, Industrial, Residential)
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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
IT IS TIME FOR PROPER
STORAGE TANK
1. 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
PetroJerseyIndustries.com
Petro Jersey Industries, Inc.
Keeping Our
Environment Clean…
One Step at a Time
Serving The Petroleum
And Related Industries
1-800-707-2022
PetroJerseyIndustries.com
Petro Jersey Industries, Inc. Since 1975
We 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
PetroJerseyIndustries.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: 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 IndustriesQ: 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: Are residential underground heating oil tanks regulated by
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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: Are residential underground heating oil tanks regulated by
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 IndustriesQ: 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).
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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 IndustriesQ: If the seller cannot provide any written reports about soil
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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: If the seller cannot provide any written reports about soil
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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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 IndustriesQ: What are the steps for cleanup for a heating oil tank leak?
(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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What are the steps for cleanup for a heating oil tank leak?
(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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What are the steps for cleanup for a heating oil tank leak?
(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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What are the steps for cleanup for a heating oil tank leak?
(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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: 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 IndustriesQ: When an oil tank is removed what is a tank certification?
(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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: When an oil tank is removed what is a tank certification?
(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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: When an oil tank is removed what is a tank certification?
(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 IndustriesQ: What is involved with removing an underground heating oil
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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What is involved with removing an underground heating oil
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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What is involved with removing an underground heating oil
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)
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesQ: What is involved with removing an underground heating oil
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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesPetro Jersey Industries, Inc.
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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesTANK 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,
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesFill, 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesSANDFILL 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesSITE 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.
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesTime 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) 707-2022It’s Time To Get On Our Schedule
Get It Done Right The First Time!
PREVENT Costly Fines and Cleanup Costs
CALL NOW!
(800) 707-2022The N.J.D.E.P. Wants Your RAR
(Remedial Action Report)
Contact Petro Jersey Industries!
CALL TODAY!
(800) 707-2022Our Credentials
NJDEP Licensed
OSHA Trained
Industry Certified
FOR INQUIRIES, CALL: (800) 707-2022 | Petro Jersey IndustriesPetro Jersey Industries
Waiting To Serve You!
Operating From 3 NJ
Locations
Montclair – Hackensack – Pt Pleasant Beach
CALL TODAY!
(800) 707-2022
Fax: 732-477-7513
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