Frequently Asked Questions

How do I determine whether my underground storage tank should be removed or abandoned?

SREC recommends tank removal for all tanks that are accessible with our equipment. If you are in the process of selling your home or think that you may sell your home in the future, it is likely that you will be required to remove the UST at some point. It is not cost effective to abandon a tank only to remove it later. However, abandonment may be the only option if the UST is inaccessible or if it removal compromises the structural integrity of a building.

Does a tank removal cost more than a tank abandonment?

No, provided SREC can gain access with a small track excavator.

After signing a contract, how long will I have to wait before my job is started?

Typically, there is a two week wait period before a job can begin. A minimum of five days is required in order to obtain utility markouts. All projects requiring permits cannot begin until municipalities issue permits.

What is the average time frame to complete a UST removal? Remediation?

A UST removal is typically completed in 4 to 5 hours. The time frame to complete a remediation project depends on the extent of the contamination impact and location of the impact.

Are permits necessary and, if so, who obtains them?

Permits are necessary for tank removals and tank installations. Permits are not required for site investigations, site remediation, or testing. If permits are required, the homeowner has the option of obtaining the permit themselves or having SREC obtain the permit for them.

What happens to the oil in my UST?

The fuel oil left in an UST will be removed by a licensed vacuum truck and disposed at a licensed liquid disposal facility. If a tank removal is performed in conjunction with a tank installation, remaining clean fuel oil may be transferred from the old tank into the new tank.How do I prove that my UST has been removed, and removed properly according to the State guidelines?
When the tank is removed, it is usually inspected by the town. Additionally, SREC provides a tank certification booklet containing all necessary paperwork to prove that the tank was removed according to NJDEP regulations.

Will my property be left as it is found?

The site of a tank removal or excavation will be left rough graded and ready to be landscaped.

What is the protocol if my UST has leaked fuel oil into the soil?

The NJDEP will be notified if it is suspected that there has been a fuel oil release. Soil samples will be collected to confirm the fuel oil release. If a fuel oil release is confirmed, a project manager will discuss plans for site remediation with you.

How do I close out an open case with the NJDEP?

You will need to hire a licensed NJDEP approved environmental contractor such as SREC to manage and perform the necessary remediation. SREC field technicians and Environmental Scientist will determine the level of remediation that needs to be conducted in order to clean up the contaminated soils. Once it is believed that all contaminated soils have been removed, the subsurface evaluator extracts soil samples from the excavation to confirm the integrity of the soil.

Soil samples are sent to an NJDEP certified lab for analysis. Once it is confirmed that the sampling event meets the NJDEP criteria for clean up, a Remedial Action Report (RAR) is prepared and submitted to the homeowner for signature. The RAR is then submitted to the State for review. After the State reviews and accepts the RAR, a No Further Action (NFA) letter will be issued evidencing that your case will be closed and that no additional work is required.

What methods of payment do you accept?

SREC accepts checks, cash, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards.