Gas/Filling Station Assessment & Remediation
Over 30 years of experience on petroleum site characterization projects sets KEI apart from other firms.
Process
Gas/Filling Station Assessment & Remediation
Fuel leaks from underground storage tanks (USTs) and the associated piping are often the source of unwanted and costly soil and groundwater contamination issues. These leaks are discovered by inventory discrepancies, indicators of a release from leak or release detection systems, and environmental indicators such as vapors in buildings or a sheen on a neighboring stream. A suspected release can also be discovered during a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment.
Once a release has been confirmed, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR, 573-634-2436) or the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE, 785-291-3333) is notified. It is very important to also notify your insurance provider at this time as some of the actions taken immediately after the release is discovered may be covered by insurance. Funds such as the Missouri Petroleum Storage Tank Insurance Fund (MoPSTIF, 800-765-2765) and the Kansas Petroleum Storage Tank Release Trust Fund (785-296-1678) are often the means by which owners of petroleum storage tanks can demonstrate financial responsibility for spill responses.
The next steps to be taken will likely be determined by what either of these regulators wants to see done. Digging up a site to remove all soil impacted by the release is not commonly done anymore. More targeted excavation to fix an affected portion of the fuel delivery system is more common today.
Once the release itself has been addressed, the regulators will often request additional information regarding the spill and the extent of contamination as a result of the spill. This typically involves the collection of soil samples and groundwater samples from around the site. Soil borings are drilled and groundwater monitoring wells are installed.
Sampling
Soil and Groundwater Analysis
We start by thoroughly researching the historical use of the subject property using such items as topographic maps, aerial photography, and state and federal environmental databases. If existing reports such as a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment or a tank/piping closure report exists, we will use these reports to inform our analysis. We examine the local site geology as it pertains to the potential for contaminant migration. We then develop an exposure model, which looks at land use at the site and adjacent properties now and in the future. Finally we look at the potential receptors (human and ecological) to determine the delineation criteria for the site. These factors help us determine what constituents to analyze for and where.
After gathering the above information, we will propose specific sample locations for soil borings and groundwater analysis. There is a range of petroleum hydrocarbons that we will target based on the history of the site, whether groundwater is used for drinking water in the area, what types of petroleum products have been associated with the site, etc.
You will receive a thorough Site Characterization work plan and cost estimate from us that details the work we propose. This work plan will be approved by the regulator and funding source before work commences.
Monitoring
Dissolved Hydrocarbon Plume
Both regulators typically require a site be monitored for a minimum period of time, after which a determination is made by analytical results whether the hydrocarbon plume is stable (moving or not moving).
Reporting
Our Site Characterization Report describes the soil and groundwater contamination and compares the results of our field work to established risk based target levels. It is possible that the initial scope of work will not provide complete delineation of the contamination. If delineation has not been completed, a revised scope of work will be prepared to complete contamination delineation. This scope of work will be approved by all parties prior to the start of work. After contamination has been successfully delineated, the Site Characterization Report will be delivered.
The groundwater monitoring program lasts for a minimum period of time, depending on which state the site is in. Reports prepared will document the groundwater monitoring events and summarize the results obtained and to compare the results with historical data. These reports will provide depth to water information from the wells, calculate inferred groundwater gradient, and summarize laboratory data.
KEI will assemble all of the gathered information (including the results of the final quarterly groundwater sampling) and combine it with other information required to meet regulatory goals.
KEI is grateful for the longevity of many of our customer relationships. Our over 30 years of experience on petroleum site characterization projects sets us apart from other firms. When you retain KEI, you retain experience that is applied to your project from the beginning.
