If you’re considering moving to Bergen County, New Jersey, you’re making a wise decision. It’s ranked the healthiest county. It’s also the third-best county for public schools and young professionals.
Pretty impressive distinctions if you’re looking for a great place to call your new home. But before you sign your purchase agreement, you should know something else. It’s one of many New Jersey counties with a history of buried oil tanks.
Its vital to find out if your prospective home has one too. Hire a company that conducts Bergen County, NJ, site assessments.
This article will discuss the importance of oil tank assessments. However, All American Environmental’s services include these assessments as well as soil and groundwater testing and assessments.
So, let us get started discussing what you should know.
History of Underground Oil Tanks in New Jersey
An underground oil tank installation was common in a New Jersey home in the 40s up until the 1970s. Many homeowners used the oil they contained to heat their homes during cold winters. The underground installation provided a convenient storage location.
Tanks were usually quite cumbersome as they were 500 to 1500 gallons or larger. Being underground, homeowners didn’t have to worry about taking up yard space.
Back then, they were oblivious to the environmental repercussions of such an action. Unfortunately, new homeowners may find they have to remove a tank after they’ve purchased their home.
You won’t want this added expense. Do your due diligence by doing an oil tank assessment.
What is an Oil Tank Assessment?
Before doing an oil tank assessment, an experienced company will do an oil tank sweep. This determines if there is an underground storage tank (UST) on your property. If there is a tank present, you’ll need to find out if it has any leaks by conducting an oil tank assessment.
All American Environmental can provide both these services. Our site assessment process involves three phases:
Phase 1
We create a model of the site by:
- Drawing diagrams
- Using pictures
- Generating descriptions
This helps to determine potential sources of any leaks or contaminants. A desk study complements this by looking at the history of the site. This helps to map out the introduction of contaminants onto the site over a specific period.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is when the physical investigation begins. This involves soil sampling, testing, and analysis.
This can help determine the extent of the contamination. It also helps to assess the risk, if any, to humans or the environment.
Phase 3
Once there is contamination at the site, site remediation will need to occur. It will include a strategy for:
- Containment
- Removal
- Treatment
The aim is to return the affected area to as close to its original, uncontaminated state as possible.
Bergen County, NJ Site Assessments Experts
You’ve finally made the move to the county considered one of the best places to live. But as you settle into your new New Jersey home, you discover your backyard may have more than you expected.
This could be the case for many new homeowners who move to Bergen County, NJ. It’s a county known for its prevalence of underground oil storage tanks—a common feature of many homes since the 1940s.
Once you buy your home, removal will be your responsibility. Hire one of the Bergen County, NJ, site assessment experts before you sign on the dotted line.
All American Environmental will determine if there’s an oil tank buried there. We’ll conduct a thorough site assessment to give you peace of mind. Contact us today so you can finalize the purchase of your home! And remember, our services do not stop at just oil tank site assessments. Browse our navigation to see all of our professional environmental consulting and contracting services.
A list of counties we offer Bergen County NJ Site Assessment Services for
Rutherford, Waldwick, East Rutherford, Hillsdale, Closter, Cliffside Park, Hasbrouck Heights. Maywood, Oradell, Cresskill, Glenrock, Fort Lee, Westwood, Fairlawn, River Edge, Oakland, Rochelle Park, New Milford, Elmwood Park, Wyckoff, Ramsey, Edgewater, Palisades Park, Midland Park, Allendale, River Vale, Wallington, Teterboro, Park Ridge, Northvale, Ridgefield Park, Alpine, Old Tappan, Hackensack, Ridgewood, Washington Township, Dumont, Franklin Lakes, Englewood, Tenafly, Emerson, Bogota, Paramus, Teaneck, Bergenfield, Mahwah, Garfield, Montvale, Lodi, Saddlebrook, and Lyndhurst.
