HomeMy WebLinkAboutre: fuel tank Dr. and Mrs. Marshall Stanton
cc: Michael Margulies
re: abandoned fuel tank at 1160 Tonkawa
The 1000 gallon underground fuel oil tank at 1160 Tonkawa is exempt from MPCA
regulation:
"The following USTs are exempt from MPCA tank rules. They include:........
heating oil tanks with a capacity of 1,100 gallons or less used for consumptive use on the
premises where the heating oil is stored "
However the City of Orono requires a permit and inspection of all tank removals. Such a
permit was taken out in August of 1994. Unfortunately the records of inspections are missing for
this permit. I was the inspector on this project. The following are facts from City files and from
my memory.
In 1980 the furnace was changed from oil fueled to gas. At that time there was little
concernfor removing unused oil tanks.
In 1994 the tank was discovered in connection with a sale of the house.
The City required removal of tanks when possible, or retiring in place if removal would
be exceedingly difficult. This tank was buried under the floor at the South end of the house. A
permit was taken out for fuel tank removal. I inspected the job first when they had just dug
down to the tank. I believe it was at that time that the decision was made to allow the tank to be
abandoned in place to prevent possible damage to the house from removal.
A large hole was cut in the top of the tank. The tank was dried and evacuated. A hole
was then cut in the bottom of the tank. I witnessed soil samples be taken from below the tank.
After the samples were shown to be negative for fuel leakage the tank was filled with
slurry. Light weight concrete I believe.
We will continue to search for copies of the soil tests and the inspection report and will
furnish them if we are successful. I am certain that the work was completed satisfactorily and
was inspected.
If I can be of further help please call our office.
Bruce Vang
Building Inspector