WS-29788_48897_CA_O_20230223

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

February 23, 2023

Mr. Frank Reickert
5664 Whippoorwill Drive
Pfafftown, NC 27040

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 5664 Whippoorwill
Drive, Pfafftown, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 360022590

Dear Mr. Reickert:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on February 23, 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 1962 which is most likely when the oil heat system was installed.
It is unclear if this UST is original to the system or a replacement tank. The UST was reportedly last used
in January, 2023.

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 16 inches below
land surface (bls). The UST has a length of about 72 inches with a diameter of approximately 46.75 inches
and a capacity of about 550 gallons. The UST was measured to contain approximately 48 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 along the outside perimeter of the house where USTs would
usually be located. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines were observed extending from the top of the vent
pipe and snipped off. These lines were not observed in the basement. However, another pair of lines was
in the basement indicating the existence of a former (above ground?) storage tank. No other evidence of
this former tank was observed. No petroleum odors or stains were observed in the basement.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, two soil borings were performed, one in each the locations
shown on the Site Sketch, using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger. The boring on the
northwestern end of the tank was advanced to a depth of approximately 6.6 feet bls, about 1.4 feet below
the bottom of the UST. No petroleum odor or discoloration was observed in the soils from this boring. The
boring toward the southeastern end of the tank was advanced to a depth of approximately 5.8 feet bls, about
0.6 feet below the bottom of the tank. A moderate petroleum odor was observed in the soils from a depth
of approximately 5.4 to 5.8 feet bls suggesting significant leakage from the UST has occurred. The native
soils underlying the tank consist of an orange reddish brown micaceous sandy silt.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply, however, an active water supply well
located approximately 60 feet southeast of the UST is used for irrigation. Because this well is located
within 150 feet of the petroleum release, the property would be classified as “High Risk” by the State. No
other water supply wells were observed within 150 feet of the release.

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils underlying the UST has
been confirmed. Current law (NCGS 143-215.85 (a) and (b)) requires that any significant release of
Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Mr. Frank Reickert
February 23, 2023
Page 2

petroleum be immediately reported to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ),
Division of Waste Management, Winston-Salem Regional Office (336-776-9800). 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.

Currently, the property cannot be legally conveyed until a Notice of Residual Petroleum (NRP) is filed with
the Forsyth County Register of Deeds office pursuant to NCGS 143B- 279.11 (d). The NRP would 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
without prior written approval from the DEQ. Further, the State will not issue a Notice of No Further
Action (NFA) letter to officially close out the release incident for “High Risk” properties such as this
wherein soil or groundwater contamination exceeding applicable standards remains onsite. The property
would be reclassified as “Low Risk” if the onsite water supply well within 150 feet of the release were
properly abandoned. Once reclassified to “Low Risk” and upon approval of the NRP, the DEQ would issue
a “Conditional” 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, abandoning the identified water supply well and completing
Public Notification would not be required if all soil contamination exceeding applicable standards is
removed.

The State currently will require initial abatement or remedial action regarding the release of heating oil
from a UST on a “High Risk” property. Further, 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. There also exists a potential for further environmental
impact to the property from continued leakage from the UST.

An NFA letter can be obtained in two different scenarios. Scenario One requires the removal of the UST
and all associated contaminated soil exceeding applicable standards. Scenario Two requires reclassifying
the property to “Low Risk” by abandoning the water supply well (requires a certified well driller and the
submittal of a well abandonment record), filing an NRP, performing the Public Notification task and abating
the petroleum release (removing tank contents and cleaning the tank interior) pursuant to 15A NCAC
2L .0106(b). We recommend pursuing Scenario Two.

In the event the property is reclassified to “Low Risk” to allow for the abandonment of the tank, it 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 contents, pressure wash 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 $1.50 per gallon of recovered fluids.
Preparing and filing the NRP and performing the Public Notification requirement will cost an
additional $1,250.00. Cedar Rock would not be responsible for properly abandoning the identified water
supply well within 150 feet of the release.

If required, Cedar Rock can remove the UST including up to 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of
$15,000.00 plus $1.50 per gallon of recovered fluids. Tonnage in excess of 15 tons will be an added
charge at the rate of $150.00 per ton. This would include appropriate environmental assessment, reporting,
Mr. Frank Reickert
February 23, 2023
Page 3

and site restoration. All work performed would be in accordance with the recommended practices and
procedures outlined in the Guidelines for Site Checks, Tank Closure, and Initial Response and Abatement,
Change 11 (May 17, 2021), published by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality,
Division of Waste Management, UST Section. Please keep in mind that attempting to remove the UST and
all contaminated soils exceeding applicable standards carries some financial risk because if all the
contamination cannot be removed (i.e. if the contamination extends deeper than our excavation equipment
can reach or to beneath the foundation of the house), the State will still require abandonment of any water
supply wells within 150 feet of the release, filing an NRP and performing Public Notification before issuing
an NFA letter.

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. Frank Reickert
February 23, 2023
Page 4

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
House
UST
Locations of soil borings
7 ft
Carport
1 ft
Porch
Porch