MO-30285_49313_CA_TCR_20231211_Pamela Weiden Property

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

November 13, 2023

Ms. Pam Weiden
525 North Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Reference: Inspection of an underground storage tank (UST) located at 241 Friendship Road,
Statesville, North Carolina

Cedar Rock Project # 376122590

Dear Ms. Weiden:

Cedar Rock Environmental, P. C. (Cedar Rock) performed a site inspection on November 13, 2023 at the
above referenced location. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the UST formerly 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. The UST
was replaced by an aboveground storage tank (AST) that is currently in use.

An inactive UST was observed to be located as shown in the Site Map. Both the fill and vent pipes of the
UST had been removed. The depth to the top of the UST is approximately 11 inches below land surface
(bls). The UST has a length of about 94 inches with an estimated diameter of approximately 41 inches and
an estimated capacity of about 560 gallons. The contents of the tank could not be determined as there was
no access to the interior of the tank available, however, based on sounding with a probing rod the tank does
not appear to be full. White flagging was installed to mark both ends of the UST (see Photo 1). 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 to the UST were observed
in the basement behind the water heater open-ended about 1.5 feet off the foundation wall adjacent to the
UST. One of the lines had a valve in the closed position. No petroleum odor or staining was observed in
the basement.

An active AST was also observed to be located as shown in the Site Map (Photo 2). The AST was in
contact with the ground and appeared to be in good condition with no evidence of leakage. The AST has a
length of about 61 inches with a diameter of approximately 36 inches and a capacity of about 270 gallons.
The tank was measured to contain approximately 85 gallons of fluid. Two copper fuel delivery/return lines
extend from the top of the AST over to where they enter the basement through the foundation wall.

Once the orientation of the UST was determined, a soil boring was performed at the southern end of the
UST using a ¾-inch diameter drill auger. The boring was advanced to a depth of approximately 5.0 feet
bls, about 0.7 feet below the bottom of the UST. A moderate to strong petroleum odor was observed in the
soil at the base of the boring suggesting significant leakage from the UST has occurred. The soil at the base
of the boring consists of a reddish orange sandy silt.

The property is currently serviced by a municipal water supply, however, there is an inactive water supply
well located in the back yard about 55 feet west of the petroleum release. Because this well is within 150
feet of the petroleum release, the property would currently be classified as “High Risk” by the State. No
other wells were observed within 150 feet of the release.

Cedar Rock
ENVIRONMENTAL
Ms. Pam Weiden
November 13, 2023
Page 2

Based on the results of this investigation, significant contamination of the soil underlying 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, 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 can 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 Iredell 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.
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 identified
water supply well 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 would be removed upon receiving a certified copy of the filed
NRP and the completion of Public Notification requirements. Filing the NRP, abandoning the 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 onsite 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.

Cedar Rock can remove the UST including up to 15 tons of contaminated soil for a charge of $16,000.00
plus $1.65 per gallon of recovered fluid. Tonnage in excess of 15 tons will be an added charge at the rate
of $160.00 per ton. This would include 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. 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 the water supply well, filing an
NRP and performing Public Notification before issuing an NFA letter.

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
Ms. Pam Weiden
November 13, 2023
Page 3

the topside of the UST, removing all tank and fuel line 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 $4,200.00 plus $1.65 per gallon of recovered
fluid. 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 water supply well.
We also recommend installing support blocks beneath the AST to lift it off the ground.

The pricing quoted in this report is valid until December 14, 2023. 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. Pam Weiden
November 13, 2023
Page 4

Photo 1. View of the UST location. Both ends of the UST are marked with white flags.

Photo 2. View of the AST.
PROJECT: ____________________________CEDAR ROCK
ENVIRONMENTAL, P. C.SITE MAPINCIDENT #: __________________________
LOCATION: ___________________________
___________________________
CRE PROJECT NUMBER: _______________
FILENAME: ____________________
VERSION DATE: ________________
0 5 10 20
1 inch = 10 feet
: T1 = 560-Gallon UST
T2 = 270-Gallon AST
Pam Weiden Property
Pending
241 Friendship Road
Statesville, Iredell Co.
376122590
3761-Fig1.tcw
11/13/2023
N
FIGURE 1
: Soil Boring Location
House
T1
T2
Deck
Wellhouse Front
porch
Porch
: Supply Well