Abandoned But Not Harmless

Pollard Environmental investigated an abandoned heating oil UST pursuant to areal estate transaction in Virginia’s Piedmont. Although the tank had not been in use for many years, significant petroleum contamination was encountered in the subsurface such that groundwater was at risk. The tank and contaminated soils were removed to a depth of 12 ft, which helped to mitigate the impacts.Unfortunately, measurable heating oil is present on the groundwater, prompting our pending investigation into the extent of this “free product” plume. Free product, which is very harmful to groundwater quality, may migrate and impact basements, supply wells, creeks or other receptors.