Case Study: Unregulated Heating Oil Tank

Homeowners of New Jersey

Opportunity/Challenges
Some homeowners will be familiar with the discovery of an oil tank buried on their property.  Even worse is learning that the tank has discharged and leaked into the surrounding soil and ground water, and they are now responsible for the tank removal as well as an investigation and remediation.  Thankfully, the DEP may be able to help!

Partners
Although they are only officially involved once a discharge has been reported, the DEP’s Contaminated Site Remediation & Redevelopment Program (CSRRP) has developed valuable informational resources and guides for homeowners on all aspects of the removal and remediation process.  This information can be found on their website at https://www.nj.gov/dep/srp/unregulatedtanks/.  Additionally, homeowners can search for DEP Certified UST Firms or Licensed Site Remediation Professionals through DEP’s online resource, DEP Data Miner, to assist them in this effort.

Action
If you need to remove an Underground Storage Tank (UST), here are the steps necessary:

1. Hire a contractor certified for tank closure, obtain any permits from the municipality, remove the UST, and check for holes or signs of discharge. If the tank has not leaked, the municipality will close the permit and the process is complete.
2. If the tank has leaked, the homeowner is responsible for reporting the discharge by calling the DEP hotline at 877-927-6337.
3. Hire a contractor certified in Subsurface Evaluation or a Licensed Site Remediation Professional.
4. Conduct investigation/ remediation of the site.
5. Submit a final Remedial Action Report to the DEP.
6. Upon submission and review of a complete report, you will receive a No Further Action letter from the DEP, marking the completion of the remediation.

Funding/Resources
The Unregulated Heating Oil Tank (UHOT) Program allows environmental professionals to investigate and remediate discharges from Unregulated Heating Oil Tanks, including all residential fuel oil underground storage tanks. In addition, owners and operators of leaking unregulated USTs may be eligible to apply to the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Remediation, Upgrade and Closure Fund (PUST).  The PUST Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants and/or loans to eligible applicants.  Currently, there is a 3.5-year wait time for review for assistance as a result of the popularity of the program. Owners and operators of leaking aboveground petroleum storage tanks and USTs can apply to the Hazardous Discharge Site Remediation Fund (HDSRF).  The HDSRF provides assistance in the form of partial grants and remediation loans.

Results and Benefits
Utilizing the DEP’s UHOT Program will provide the homeowner with an understanding of the heating oil remediation process and the remediation to be managed by professionals.  Not only will you find all the information you need on our websites, but you may also be eligible for reimbursement on these efforts in the future with the UST Fund and HDSRF Programs.