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Inactive Abandoned Tanks

Abandoned tanks have hidden hazards.

Tank Removal

Warning signs the inactive oil tank may be a problem:

No tank closure records exist.
If the homeowner cannot provide records about the tank closure and the town does not have permits or documentation on file, there is a problem.

The tank was probably not abandoned properly. This can be a tell-tale sign that the tank may have had an issue when it was taken out of service.

Homeowner cannot provide soil testing results.
If the seller cannot provide any written reports about the condition of the soil surrounding the buried tank, you should evaluate soil as part of your inspection.

In recent months, many homeowners discovered soil contamination exists around their buried abandoned oil tanks that their town or municipality considered properly decommissioned. Most of the time, these homeowners originally purchased property based strictly on the municipality or town building inspector’s approval and ignored the fact that soil testing was not performed at the time the buried tank was back-filled with sand, gravel or foam.

Unfortunately, homeowners are surprised when a problem arises with the tank they thought was properly abandoned. When these homeowners sell their homes, savvy buyers are testing the soil around the abandoned tank, even though there is a proper report from the town building inspector. Many times, the soil test discovers high levels of contamination in the area around the decommissioned tank!

Even though the homeowner has all the supporting documentation from the municipality, the responsibility for cleaning up the contamination rests solely with the unsuspecting homeowner. And the average cleanup usually exceeds $8,000 and has gotten up to $100,000! Don’t let this happen to you!

Test the soil around the abandoned tanks before buying the property!
Getting a copy of a tank removal permit or the written tank closure approval will not protect you unless it is accompanied with a soil test report from a certified laboratory.