Tracy When it comes to oil tank removal, costs depend on the size of the tank and how it’s located. The project also takes time and requires special equipment.
However, if the tank is appropriately abandoned and no leaks are detected, it can save you a lot of money on soil cleanup costs.
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Cost of Excavation
The cost of excavation associated with oil tank abandonment Westchester County NY will vary depending on the size and location of the tank. Larger tanks require more equipment for heavy lifting and excavation.
In addition, if the tank is buried underground, you may need to excavate the ground around it. It can add $500 to $1,000 to the overall project price.
Whether or not you need to excavate the tank also depends on what you have in it. For example, if it contains fuel or hazardous chemicals, you will likely need to remove them before any other work can be done on the tank.
In most cases, tank abandonment costs will range between $1,000 and $3,000. It includes light excavation, cutting open the tank for easy access, a vacuum truck to remove waste oil, sludge, and water, and filling the tank with approved foam or dirt. All work performed is certified by an MDE-licensed waste oil contractor to ensure compliance with local and federal regulations.
Cost of Soil Testing
Soil testing costs can range from $1,000 to $3,000, depending on the level of contamination. The price is usually incorporated into the total costs of decommissioning or removing a tank.
Soils are sampled to assess the presence or absence of contaminants such as Extracted Petroleum Hydrocarbons (EPH) and other hazardous compounds that can enter water supplies and cause a health risk. They are taken from the soil surrounding the underground oil tank and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
It is a critical stage in the procedure. Workers can backfill the underground tank with perlite, gravel, or concrete if the test shows no contamination.
Cost of Filling
The cost of filling an oil tank abandoned in place varies depending on the size and location of the tank. Larger tanks require more time and labor to remove and may need special tools.
Some oil tank owners opt for abandonment instead of removal because it is less costly and more environmentally friendly. It also reduces the risk of future problems.
Abandonment is a process of opening, draining, and cleaning an underground fuel oil tank that no longer serves its purpose. It includes removing the tank’s fill and vent pipes.
In New York, oil tank abandonment must be completed within 90 days of the date it was no longer used for heating purposes.
An underground oil tank could leak remaining oil into the earth and damage the soil and nearby water supply if a homeowner does not correctly decommission it. It can also create fumes that are harmful to nearby residents.
Cost of Abandonment
The abandonment cost is typically less than removal because it doesn’t require the excavation and soil testing associated with reduction. However, this method leaves the tank vulnerable to future use and contamination.
During abandonment, the tank is cleaned of oil and sludge, then filled with sand or foam to deactivate it. Photographic documentation is then created and filed to demonstrate that the tank has been safely drained, cleaned, and abandoned.
Abandonment costs vary depending on the size of the tank, location, and other factors. A slurry, or cement fill, may be needed for larger tanks to keep the tank in place.
The surrounding soil is also tested during abandonment to ensure no leaks occur. Additionally, the tank is drained, vacuumed, and then filled with sand or foam. This process is overseen and approved by a registered geotechnical or structural engineer. Upon completion, a certificate of abandonment is issued.
