FA-29744_48864_CA_RPTS_20230119

CEDAR ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL, P.C.
107 Pioneer Trail
Graham, NC 27253
[phone]

January 19, 2023

Mr. Carmen & Helen Paglio
20 Cottage Avenue
Glen Rock, PA 17327

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 503 Kelton Court,
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 358722590

Dear Mr. Paglio:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on January 19, 2023 at the
above referenced location. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the UST previously used for
storing heating oil had leaked causing significant contamination of the underlying soils. It is our
understanding the residence was built in 1973 which is most likely when the UST was installed.

An inactive UST was observed to be located as shown in the Site Sketch. Both the fill and vent pipes of
the UST were observed to be intact. The depth to the top of the UST is approximately 17 inches below
land surface (bls). The UST has a length of about 61 inches with a diameter of approximately 35.5 inches
and a capacity of about 270 gallons. The UST was measured to contain approximately 11 gallons of fluid.
White flagging was installed to mark the ends of the UST (see Photo). No other USTs on the property were
discovered using a metal detector to survey the outside perimeter of the residence where USTs are usually
located. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines were observed to be cut and crimped a couple feet off the
foundation wall in the crawlspace. No petroleum odors or stains were observed in the crawlspace.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the western end of the
UST using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The soil boring was advanced to a depth of
approximately 5.2 feet bls, about 0.8 feet below the bottom of the UST. A moderate to strong
petroleum odor was observed in the soils from a depth of approximately 4.5 to 5.2 feet bls suggesting
significant leakage from the UST has occurred. The native soils underlying the UST consist of a brownish
orang silty sand.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply. No water supply wells were observed
within 150 feet of the petroleum release. For this reason, the property should be classified as “Low Risk”
by the State.

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils surrounding the UST has
been confirmed. Current law (NCGS 143-215.85 (a) and (b)) requires that any significant release of
petroleum be immediately reported to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
Division of Waste Management, Fayetteville Regional Office (910-433-3300). According to State law,
upon reporting the release, the current property owner where a release is discovered is identified by the
State as the “Responsible Party” for any State required action relating to the UST leakage. Upon your
request, Cedar Rock will submit a UST-61 form to satisfy the State’s notification requirement for the
release.
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Mr. Carmen & Helen Paglio
January 19, 2023
Page 2

Currently, the property cannot be legally conveyed until a Notice of Residual Petroleum (NRP) is filed with
the Cumberland County Register of Deeds office pursuant to NCGS 143B- 279.11 (d). The NRP will
contain applicable land use restrictions to minimize the risk of exposure to existing contamination. The
land use restrictions prohibit any disturbance of site soils within a specified radius of the estimated extent
of soil contamination and prohibit the future operation or installation of any water supply wells on the
property. Once classified as “Low Risk” and upon approval of the NRP, the DEQ will issue a “Conditional”
Notice of No Further Action (NFA) letter to formally close out the release incident. The “Conditional”
provision in the NFA letter will be removed upon receiving a certified copy of the filed NRP and
the completion of Public Notification requirements. Filing the NRP and performing Public Notification
would not be required if all soil contamination exceeding applicable standards has been removed.

The State currently will not require initial abatement or remedial action of the soils regarding the release of
heating oil from a UST on a “Low Risk” property, however, they will require removal of the tank contents
and properly cleaning the tank interior to abate the petroleum release pursuant to 15A NCAC 2L .0106(b).
Once the presence of the UST and confirmed contaminated soil is disclosed to other interested parties as
required by State law, future buyers, homeowner’s insurance providers, or lenders may also require initial
abatement and/or remedial actions relating to the UST prior to making any commitments towards the
property. In addition, there exists a potential for further environmental impact to the property from
continued leakage from the UST.

Currently, the presence of the soil contamination does not appear to pose any known health risk. Attempting
to remove the UST and associated contaminated soils is costly, would be disruptive to the property and may
not result in a clean closure. For these reasons, we recommend the in-place abandonment of the UST. The
tank abandonment would consist of exposing a portion of the UST by hand excavation, cutting a hole about
two feet in diameter on the topside of the UST, removing all tank and fuel line contents, cleaning of the
tank interior, and filling the tank with a structurally supportive yet excavatable flowable fill cement slurry.
A summary report signed by a licensed geologist would be generated that would include photographs of
each step of the abandonment process, including a photograph of the interior of the UST to show the UST
was properly cleaned. Cedar Rock can provide this service for a charge of $3,900.00 plus $1.40 per gallon
of recovered fluids. Preparing and filing the NRP and performing the Public Notification requirement will
cost an additional $1,250.00.

Attached is an invoice for the site inspection. We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. If you
have any questions regarding the content of this report, please call me at 336-684-3836.

Sincerely,

Josiah D. Payne, N.C. Licensed Geologist #2825

Attachment
Mr. Carmen & Helen Paglio
January 19, 2023
Page 3

Site Sketch. Sketch is to scale relative to itself.

Photo. View of the UST location. Both ends of the UST are marked with white flags.
N UST House
4.8 ft
Location of soil
sample boring
16.5 ft