What Happened
A customer recently called our out of hours number! The lady had discovered that an old metal oil tank had begun to leak and was “squirting” oil onto her lawn. Gaea mobilised immediately to this leaking oil tank in Moira and were on site within 30 minutes with a spare tank.
Using dedicated oil transfer pumps the remaining contents were transferred to a temporary oil tank which we connected to the boiler to restore heating.
The customer was rightly concerned about impacting the Environment and was anxious about being prosecuted.
Investigation
- A Gaea Environmental Scientist returned to site and carried out a soil augering survey so that the lateral migration and depths of impact could be accurately determined.
- Soil samples were collected and field screened on site for volatile organic compound concentrations.
- Strategic samples were selected to demonstrate the risk on site and these were independently analysed.
- Additional samples were sent for waste acceptance analysis so that waste could be properly assessed and dealt with.
what we found
- The oil spilled from this leaking tank in Moira impacted the tank base and the soils surrounding and below it.
- Hand augering confirmed that the oil spill from the leaking tank descended to around 0.8m in depth.
- The plume was reasonably small, and covered an area of circa 10m2.
- None of the neighbours were at risk, nor were any water courses or groundwaters.
Remedial works
- The metal tank was removed out of the way before being safely dismantled, cleaned and certified as degassed.
- The tank base was broken out and disposed of.
- The boiler needed to be relocated safely out of the way and then its base removed.
- The contaminated soils were then quickly removed using a micro-digger.
- Gaea Environmental scientists gave continued support to the site staff with scientific input, checks and guidance.
Validation
Five soil samples were collected from across the work area. The samples were sent for independent analysis with a UKAS accredited laboratory.
A detailed validation report was compiled and forwarded to the customer and their insurance company.
Reinstatement
- The excavation was then backfilled with hardcore which was compacted in layers
- New concrete bases for both the tank and boiler were shuttered and poured with concrete.
- A new oil line was installed within a plastic protective sheath.
- A new bunded tank was installed and the original boiler was commissioned on its new base.
- The contents of the temporary tank could then be placed into the new tank.
- The area surrounding the tank and boiler was filled with fresh topsoil which was raked out and sewn with grass seed.
Turn around - savings
- Emergency call out – 30 mins
- Initial site assessment – within 24 hours
- Once approved by insurers the works were commended within 3 days.
- The work was completed on site in 5 days.
- Two skips worth of soil were recycled rather being lost to landfill.
- Old metal tank was recycled.
If you suspect that you have an oil spill or are at risk of one please get in contact ASAP.
The sooner you can get the leak stopped, contained and assessed the smaller job it will be. Contact Gaea directly on 08000 541 361 or 012330222 for ROI
