Complete Guide to Soil Remediation After Oil Tank Leaks in NJ
Oil tank leaks can cause severe environmental and financial implications, especially if the soil becomes contaminated. When soil becomes contaminated, it requires careful and thorough remediation efforts to mitigate potential harm to your property and the environment around your home or business. Damaged soil can lead to problems above and below the ground – some of which may not be obvious until it’s too late.
This article will discuss Navigating Soil Remediation After Oil Tank Leaks in New Jersey. It will include the negative aspects of an oil leak, identifying and reporting leaks, and how an environmental services company will remediate your contaminated soil.
What Happens If My Oil Tank Leaks?
If your oil tank leaks, it can lead to soil contamination. Contaminated soil has several negative implications that unfold above and under the ground. Most importantly, contaminated soil can lead to toxic chemicals seeping into drinking water and plant life, poisoning wild animals and humans who consume the toxified plants and water.
According to the EPA, dry areas may be unsafe from soil contamination due to wind-borne dust flying through the air. The contaminated dust can then travel into waterways and accumulate into sediments, which can poison channels. Regardless of where you live, it is crucial to remediate contaminated soil to prevent injuring humans and animals alike.
Some lesser but still adverse effects include:
- Cracked or uneven land
- Sinkholes
- Poor draining soil
- Infertile soil
How to Identify an Oil Tank Leak
First, you and an environmental services professional will identify the leak and assess the extent of the damage. This typically involves a thorough inspection of the tank and the surrounding area by professionals experienced in handling oil tank leaks and soil contamination. They can observe the tank and surrounding soil and determine whether there is a leak.
Reporting an Oil Tank Leak
Next, you must report the leak to the appropriate authorities. Compliance with state and local regulations is critical during this phase. Each state has specific rules related to oil tank leaks and soil contamination that must be followed to ensure environmental safety and legal compliance.
Your professional environmental service team will know these standards and help you get back into compliance with state and federal regulations.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection handles all aspects of oil tank leaks in New Jersey.
How An Environmental Services Company Will Handle Soil Contamination
Unfortunately, contaminated soil is not something the average layperson can handle. It is a complex process that requires special knowledge, technology, and skills. Fortunately, many professional environmental service companies can remediate soil and restore it to good health. After the leak is examined and reported, it’s time to analyze the soil and develop a remediation plan.
Gathering Samples
The environmental services company will gather a soil sample and analyze it. This helps them understand the extent and depth of contamination and guides the development of an effective remediation strategy. Samples are sent to accredited laboratories for thorough analysis to determine the concentration of pollutants within. Based on the lab’s findings, the team will craft an exhaustive remediation plan to remove contaminants from the soil.
The Remediation Process
From there, remediation begins depending on what type of contamination is found. Soil remediation typically involves excavating and removing contaminated soil and performing a soil vapor extraction.
If it is found that water has been contaminated, the team will dewater the area using pumps and vacuums. The contaminated water, like the soil, will be moved off-site and safely recycled at a plant. Water that can remain will be treated and disposed of per state and federal law.
Monitoring and Control
Once the soil and/or water are remediated safely, the site will be monitored and controlled to prevent pollution from entering the opened area. Strategies involve covering waste, setting up walls and liners, installing pumps, and more. Source control and containment strategies vary and depend on soil type, contamination levels, and local climate.
Compliance
Lastly, the site will be analyzed again to ensure it complies with state and federal standards. Compliance with post-remediation reporting and monitoring requirements outlined by the regulatory authorities in NJ is crucial to demonstrate environmental responsibility and adherence to regulations. Your company will prepare the paperwork and inform the governing environmental body when work is completed.
Need Soil Remediation After Oil Tank Leaks? Contact All American Environmental Today
If you suspect an oil leak at your home or business and feel the soil may be contaminated, call All American Environmental immediately. Our friendly and experienced team will arrive at your site and thoroughly inspect the area, then offer a custom solution to meet your needs.
Our crew utilizes cutting-edge technology to ensure accuracy and precision, which leads to shorter, more effective projects. We abide by all NJDEP standards and use environmentally friendly practices in everything we do. To learn more or schedule a site inspection, call us at (973) 663-1680 or message us via our online contact fom.
