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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWA-29321_48485_M_C_202205201 Stone, Carrie From:Stone, Carrie Sent:Friday, May 20, 2022 12:09 PM To:pbraswellisler@gmail.com Subject:Home Heating Oil Underground Storage Tank Closure Requirements Attachments:Brochure-NonReg UST.PDF Patty,    It was nice speaking with you.    Thank you for calling to inquire about Heating Oil Underground Storage Tank (UST) Closure Requirements.    As we spoke about, Heating Oil USTs are considered Non Regulated tanks and are exempt from closure  requirements.  The state does not require anything to be done unless there is evidence of a release (observation,  testing, hole in the tank, stained soil, petroleum sheen on water, etc.). Though not required the tank owner is strongly  advised to empty a tank once it is no longer being used in order to limit the chance of a release.     Closure requirements for USTs means removing the tank from the ground or filling the empty tank with a solid, inert  material such as sand, foam or cement.  If no contamination is observed then our office does not have to be notified.      If you choose to remove the UST and observe contamination then you are required to report the contamination to us  within 24 hours, properly close, handle, and dispose of any petroleum contaminated soil if excavated.      Once contamination is reported, our office will determine if the release meets the requirements for a Low or High Risk  Classification.                    Low Risk                    If the site meets the criteria for a Low Risk Classification (no supply wells are present within 150 feet and no free phase  petroleum product is observed within 30 feet of a property boundary)  and no sampling has been done (only  observation), then a Notice of Residual Petroleum would need to be filed with the Registrar of Deeds office prior to  issuance of a No Further Action (NFA) letter.  A Notice of Residual Petroleum contains land use restrictions which  basically state that a water supply/irrigation well must not be installed on the property and the area in the immediate  vicinity of the release should not be disturbed.  If excavation is required in that area for future projects/construction, soil  will need to be disposed of properly.      If testing was done and results are less than the action levels our office would issue a No Further Action letter.  Please  note that if the groundwater table in your area is shallow it may be necessary to sample groundwater also if a No  Further Action Letter is requested.    High Risk    If contamination is found, either through observation or sampling, and a water supply well is located within 150 feet of  the tank or free phase product is observed in the soil or groundwater within 30 feet of a property boundary, then we  would assign the site a high risk classification. Additional assessment will likely be required.  This could involve sampling  of soil and/or groundwater to determine if additional excavation is needed.  If there is a well within 150’ and  abandonment/closure of the well is an option, the rank may be lowered, and filing of the Notice of Residual Petroleum  would be required prior to issuance of a No Further Action Letter.  2   To summarize, the State does not require that anything be done unless you see evidence of a release from the tank.  If  you do want to properly close the tank, you can close it in place by emptying/pumping the contents and filling it with an  inert substance or remove the tank from the ground.  A contractor may be able to provide you with documentation of  tank closure.  If no contamination is observed, it does not need to be reported to our office. If contamination is found, it  should be reported to our office and we will direct what is required. Please note that our office cannot provide  documentation of a "clean closure" or No Further Action status without testing of the soil and groundwater or filing of  a Notice of Residual Petroleum.      We have a few consultants in the area who deal with closure/sampling of home heating oil underground storage  tanks.  They may be able to provide you with a contractor who can close the tank in place if that is the route you choose.  I would recommend calling a few of them to inquire about costs.    Allied Environmental Services, LLC  Greenville, NC  252‐758‐3311    Labrador Environmental   TJ Benthall  Williamston, NC  252‐508‐4509    Terracon Consultants, Inc.  Winterville, NC  252‐353‐1600    If you have questions, please feel free to contact me via the email or telephone number listed below.      Carrie      Carrie Stone Hydrogeologist, Washington Regional Office Division of Waste Management - UST Section North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality 252.946.6481 (Office) carrie.chapman.stone@ncdenr.gov Mailing Address: Washington Regional Office 943 Washington Square Mall Washington, NC 27889 ALL UST ARCHIVED FILES CAN BE FOUND ON THE FOLLOWING LINK: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/laserfiche Link to Leaking UST GIS MAP: USE MAP FOR LOCATING UST SITES ACROSS THE STATE: https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/waste-management/waste-management-rules-data/waste-management-gis-maps/rust-map   NON-REGULATED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS Most underground storage tanks (USTs) are regulated, which means they must be monitored for leaks, be protected from corrosion, and have spill and overfill prevention equipment. When regulated tanks are no longer being used, a site assessment must be performed and the tank must be either removed from the ground or permanently closed in place. However, there are a few notable exceptions to these regulations. USTs That Are Not Regulated All heating oil tanks are exempt from the regulations if used for consumptive use on the premises where stored. (Heating oil tanks used for resale of fuel are not exempt.) Farm or residential motor fuel tanks (such as those containing gasoline or diesel fuel) 1,100 gallons or less in capacity are not regulated. All USTs under 110 gallons in capacity are not regulated. Heating Oil Tanks USTs that are considered heating oil tanks: USTs that store heating oil for consumptive use on the property where they are located are considered heating oil tanks and, therefore, are exempt from the technical regulations. Heating oil is defined as: petroleum that is No. 1, No. 2, No. 4-light, No. 4-heavy, No. 5-light, No. 5-heavy, No. 6 technical grades of fuel, and other residential fuel oils (including Navy Special Fuel Oil and Bunker C). Heating oil is typically used in the operation of heating equipment, boilers, or furnaces. Kerosene can also be considered as heating oil. USTs containing kerosene are not regulated if used on the premises where stored for heating purposes and not used for resale. Heating oil tanks are considered commercial USTs if they are greater than 1,100 gallons in capacity (unless they serve four or fewer households). Although heating oil tanks are not regulated, commercial heating oil tanks must be registered, annual tanks fees must be paid, and an operating permit must be obtained in order to receive fuel. For more information about how to register a commercial UST, call the appropriate Division of Waste Management (DWM) regional office (see map) or call the DWM central office. Farm and Residential USTs Farm tanks are tanks that are located on land devoted to the production of crops or raising animals. Residential tanks are tanks located on non-commercial property used primarily for dwelling purposes. To be considered exempt from the regulations, both farm and residential tanks must be 1,100 gallons or less in capacity and used for non-commercial purposes. For example, tanks located on farm or residential property but used for fuel resale are not exempt from the regulations. Spills and Leaks from Non-Regulated USTs Reporting releases: Any release must be reported to the appropriate DWM regional office immediately after discovery. If contamination occurs, cleanup will be required. Abandoned Non-Regulated USTs Closure: The State of North Carolina does not require that non-regulated USTs be removed from the ground once they are no longer in operation. However, a tank owner is advised to empty a non-regulated tank once it is no longer being used to limit the chances of a release. *Potential buyers are sometimes reluctant to buy property with USTs. Therefore, although tank owners are not required to remove non-regulated tanks, it may be a good idea in the interests of resale. For More Information Contact your regional DWM office (see map) Or Contact the DWM central office at: NCDEQ Division of Waste Management UST Section 1646 Mail Service Center Raleigh NC 27699-1646 (919) 707-8200 The purpose of this brochure is for general guidance. More specific information on UST regulations can be found in 15A NCAC 2N, 2P, and G.S. 143-215.94.