Underground fuel tanks borders my propety?

Question

The station went out of business in the 60's and tanks were never removed. Should I be concerned? The owner of property dosn't drink his own well water. He never told me why. I recently found out about the fuel tanks buried there. I'm drinking my well water and never had it tested.

Answer 1

First and foremost do not get scared. USTs do not automatically leak just because of age. I have seen tanks that were installed back in the 1950's that were just as good as the day they were installed.

You are in a difficult situation because the tanks were "grandfathered" and do not require removal (per EPA). Your state DEQ would be able to clarify their position on this.

If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, you will need to collect a sample and send it to a laboratory for analysis. Benzene, Toluene, EthylBenzene and Xylenes (BTEX) are the primary contituents of gasoline. I would test my water for BTEX in a certified commercial laboratory (you will find them in the yellow pages). Analysis will cost about $50 - $100 depending on the lab. If you call the state, they may even send somebody out to sample, but the analysis will take several weeks. Using a private lab, you can accelerate the analysis.

If they operated diesel USTs, you will want to sample for TPH-DRO (total petroleum hydrocarbons - diesel range organics).

A hardware store does not sell this kind of test kit. Sampling protocols require special bottles and preservatives for water. Be sure to drain your tank and have the well pump kick on before sampling. If you can sample at the pump, before the water accumulates in a tank, that would be better. You want to sample as close to the wellhead as possible.

If you are below detection limits, then there is nothing to be concerned about. If you are above detection limits, immediately contact your state DEQ and stop drinking the water. The good news is, BTEX and gasoline can be filtered out of your water with the installation of a carbon treatment system. The State DEQ will likely pay for it (they would where I live) and monitor your water for the next few years.

You can also contact the state DEQ to see if there is a file on the property. If there is not a file, then you can request that the DEQ start one.

If you have any further questions, I would contact the state DEQ (department of environmental quality).

If you do have BTEX or other gasoline constituents in your drinking water, then you will have a basis for a civil case against the property owner and the owner of the tanks.

Good luck

Answer 2

Underground tanks are regulated. They can't just be abandoned. The EPA should be able to help you on this. The current property owner is liable for any contamination of adjoining properties resulting from leaking or contaminated tanks even though the tanks may have been placed by a prior owner.

Your local public health or environmental protection office should be able to help you to test your well water or with questions about well water quality. Start with them.

Answer 3

He doesnt drink his own well water because he probably had it tested and it shows nitrates or other dangerous chemicals.

However, dont get too concerned until you do have your water tested. If at that time, you find out it is heavily contaminated, contact the local, state and federal govn about it, as there are federal funds for digging these underground tanks up, hauling the surrounding dirt away and back filling with clean fresh dirt.

Answer 4

If you are concerned, then you can buy test kits in a local hardware store to test for various contaminants for only a few dollars. You should not be worried unless the tanks are leaking, which is doubtful.

Answer 5

Sounds like a jerk that dosn't care about his neighbors, probly not telling anyone they are in his yard. Maybe the neighbors should open up a can of whoop ***