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Home My WebLink AboutMO-29989_49074_CA_IAR_20230511CEDAR ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL, P.C. 107 Pioneer Trail Graham, NC 27253 (336) 684-2734 May 11, 2023 Ms. Betsy Chapman 4605 Welborn Drive Sherrills Ford, NC 28673 Reference: Inspection of two underground storage tanks (USTs) and two aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) located at 1403 Wehunt Store Road, Cherryville, North Carolina Cedar Rock Project # 364622590 Dear Ms. Chapman: Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on May 10, 2023 at the above referenced location. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the USTs previously used for storing gasoline and heating oil had leaked causing significant contamination of the underlying soils. It is our understanding the residence was built in 1952 which is most likely when the heating oil UST would have been installed. Two inactive USTs (T1 & T2), an active AST (T3) and an inactive AST (T4) were observed to be located as shown in the attached Site Map. Tank T1 was used to store gasoline. Tanks T2, T3 & T4 were/are used to store heating oil with T3 currently providing a heat source for the house. No additional 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. White flagging was installed to mark the ends of the USTs (see Photos 1 & 2). The depth to the top of UST T1 is approximately 17 inches below land surface (bls). T1 has a length of about 90 inches with a diameter of approximately 40.75 inches and a capacity of about 510 gallons. T1 was measured to contain approximately 506 gallons of fluid. A fill pipe and a portion of the former pump was observed. The former pump pipe was loose, leaning and not completely attached to the tank. The depth to the top of UST T2 is about 18 inches bls. T2 has a length of about 90 inches with an estimated diameter of approximately 40.75 inches and an estimated capacity of about 510 gallons. T2 was measured to contain approximately 397 gallons of fluid. Both the fill and vent pipe to the UST were observed to be intact. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines connected to this tank were observed in the basement furnace room to be disconnected from the furnace and crimped. AST T3 was observed to be in contact with the ground and supported with cinderblocks (Photo 3). The tank appeared to be in good condition, however, some sweating was observed on the northeastern end of the tank around the bunghole on the bottom of the tank (Photo 4). T3 has a length of about 61.5 inches with a diameter of approximately 36 inches and a capacity of about 270 gallons. T3 was measured to contain approximately 135 gallons of fluid. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines extend from the top of the tank, through the foundation wall and are connected to the furnace in the basement. The inline oil filter was observed to be leaking with a catch pan beneath it with oil in it (Photo 5). A slight petroleum odor was noted in the basement with some oil staining on the basement floor (Photos 5 & 6). AST T4 was observed to be in fair condition and supported off the ground with stilts (Photo 7). T5 has a length of about 92 inches with a diameter of approximately 42 inches and a capacity of about 560 gallons. Cedar Rock ENVIRONMENTAL Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 2 T3 was measured to contain approximately 230 gallons of fluid. A supply valve was observed on the bottom of the tank with some dark staining on the tank surrounding the valve and on the ground beneath it (Photo 8). Once the orientation of the USTs was determined, soil borings were performed at the locations marked on the Site Map. Soil borings 1 and 2 were performed using a 3.25-inch diameter stainless steel hand auger while boring 3 was performed using a ¾-inch diameter drill auger. Boring 1 was advanced to a depth of approximately 7.6 feet bls, about 2.8 feet below the bottom of the UST T1. No petroleum odor was observed in the soils from this boring. Boring 2 was advanced to a depth of approximately 7.1 feet bls, about 2.3 feet below the bottom of the UST T1. A strong petroleum (gasoline) odor was observed in the soils from a depth of about 6.7 to 7.1 feet bls suggesting significant leakage from UST T1 has occurred. The native soils underlying UST T1 consist of a maroon micaceous sandy silt. Boring 3 was advanced to a depth of approximately 5.7 feet bls, about 0.8 feet below the bottom of the UST T2. A strong petroleum odor and discoloration was observed in the soils at the base of this boring suggesting significant leakage from UST T2 has occurred. The property is currently serviced by a water supply well(s) located on the Site Map. Because these well(s) are located within 150 feet of the petroleum release from UST T2 the property would be classified as “High Risk” by the State. Further, water supply wells were observed on neighboring properties that are located within 1,000 feet of the gasoline release from UST T1. Any wells within 1,000 feet of a gasoline release would also make this property “High Risk”. Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soils underlying USTs T1 and T2 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, Mooresville Regional Office (704-663-1699). 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 from T1 and T2. Currently, the property cannot be legally conveyed until a Notice of Residual Petroleum (NRP) is filed with the Lincoln 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 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 any water supply well within 150 feet of the fuel oil release from T2 or within 1,000 feet of the gasoline release from T1 was 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 water supply wells 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 petroleum from a UST on a “High Risk” property. Further, once the presence of the USTs 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 USTs prior Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 3 to making any commitments towards the property. There also exists a potential for further environmental impact to the property from continued leakage from either UST. An NFA letter can be obtained in two different scenarios. Scenario One requires the removal of UST T1 and T2 and all associated contaminated soil exceeding applicable standards. Scenario Two requires reclassifying the property to “Low Risk” by abandoning any water supply wells, including those on neighboring properties, within 150 feet of the release from T2 and 1,000 feet of the release from T1 (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). At this time, it would not be possible to abandon all wells within 1,000 feet of the gasoline release from T1 in order to achieve a “Low Risk” classification. Cedar Rock can remove UST T1 and UST T2 including up to 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of $19,000.00. Tonnage in excess of 15 tons will be an added charge at the rate of $150.00 per ton. This quote includes appropriate environmental assessment, reporting, 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. Note that if all contamination cannot be removed (i.e. if it extends beyond the reach of excavating equipment) the State will require additional environmental assessment referred to as a Limited Site Assessment. Cedar Rock can remove AST T3 for a charge of $400.00 and AST T4 for a charge of $600.00. Any fluids recovered from the tanks will be charged at a rate of $1.50 per gallon of fluid. The discolored soils beneath the supply valve on AST T4 will also be removed. 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 Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 4 Photo 1. View of UST T1 location. Both ends of the UST are marked with white flags. Photo 2. View of UST T2 location. Both ends of the UST are marked with white flags. Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 5 Photo 3. View of AST T3. Photo 4. View of the sweating around the bunghole on northeastern end of AST T3. Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 6 Photo 5. View of AST T3 oil lines with leaking inline oil filter. Photo 6. View of the furnace and oil staining on the basement floor. Ms. Betsy Chapman May 11, 2023 Page 7 Photo 7. View of AST T4. Photo 8. View of the leakage from supply valve on AST T4. PROJECT: ____________________________CEDAR ROCK ENVIRONMENTAL, P. C.SITE MAPINCIDENT #: __________________________ LOCATION: ___________________________ ___________________________ CRE PROJECT NUMBER: _______________ FILENAME: ____________________ VERSION DATE: ________________ T4 = 560-Gallon AST Betsy Chapman Property Pending 1403 Wehunt Store Road Cherryville, Lincoln Co. 364622590 3646-Fig1.tcw 5/11/2023 N FIGURE 1 T2 = 510-Gallon UST T3 = 270-Gallon AST : T1 = 510-Gallon UST : Supply Well 0 10 20 40 1 inch = 20 feet : Soil Boring Locations House T1 Pump house Front porch Ramp Garage Carport Stairwell T2 T3 T4 1 2 3