Precision Leak Testing (of Storage Tank Systems)

TankTek is a Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) recognized precision leak testing service provider.  TankTek’s testing system has been evaluated by United States National Work Group on Leak Detection Evaluations to meet or exceed the current leak testing requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States, which also meets or exceeds the requirements of the Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada (ULC).

A leak in a storage tank system has the potential of a significant adverse impact on the surrounding environment (soil, surface and groundwater, populations, etc.).  Left undetected, the volume of leaked products and subsequent cost of cleanup can escalate rapidly.  Consequently, the need for early leak detection is extremely important to ensure that the environmental impact and the associated clean-up costs are kept to a minimum.

Testing procedures for storage tanks include the application of a slight vacuum (negative pressure), whereby air and/or water may be drawn into the tank system if a leak exists.
  The tank system is monitored in three different ways during the test.

1. A digital microphone placed within the tank monitors for audible indications of a leak (air hissing, bubbles or drips).
2. Digital and analog vacuum gauges are used to monitor the vacuum on the tank system during the test period.  A leak which causes a vacuum loss is detected by the sensitive vacuum gauges.
3. A sensitive water level probe placed near the bottom of the tank monitors change in internal water level.  It can thus detect an ingress of water when a leak exists below the exterior water level ( below groundwater table level or water level in fill material surrounding the tank).

Some key advantages that TankTek’s equipment has over other testing systems are:

• Tanks can be tested when 0% to 99% full;
• Your service station does not have to be fully shut down; and
• A temperature stabilization period is not required.

TankTek can also test cathodic (corrosion) protection systems and mechanical product line leak detectors.

Statistical Inventory Reconciliation (SIR) is one form of approved leak detection.  SIR allows the owner or operator of a facility to meet leak detection requirements by utilizing equipment that is readily available at the facility – a tank gauging dip stick, a tank chart and inventory records.  This data is typically already collected for standard inventory reconciliation.

Standard inventory reconciliation is not very precise.  Depending on the throughput of the facility, there could be losses of thousands of litres every month that would go undetected.  For SIR, the collected data is periodically (monthly) submitted to TankTek and a trained professional uses sophisticated computer software to conduct a statistical analysis of the data. In contrast to standard inventory reconciliation, SIR analysis can be very sensitive and accurate.

The revised Liquid Fuels Handling Code (Ontario Regulation 217/01) specifies the frequency of precision leak detection and monitoring of underground storage tanks (USTs).  By implementing an SIR program, facility owners and operators can extend the precision leak testing frequency by an additional three years (vs the frequency requirement when only standard inventory reconciliation is used).

Some of the common reporting and record keeping elements include:

• Tank Size (capacity, diameter and length).
• Tank type, material of construction and manufacturer.
• Product (fuel) type.

and a minimum of 30 days of the following observed data:

• Date each (dip) stick measurement is taken.
• Daily opening stick measurement and volume.
• Daily closing stick measurement and volume.
• Daily sales volume.
• Gross deliveries.
• A minimum of 30 days of above observation data

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When a leak in a storage tank is detected it should be taken out of commission by removing the remaining product as soon as possible.  This will ensure the adverse environmental impact and the associated remediation costs are kept to a minimum.  The next step may be the repair or removal of the tank and associated piping or to delineate the impact by conducting an intrusive subsurface soil and/or groundwater investigation (Phase II Environmental Site Assessment).

TankTek will manage and monitor the removal of your storage tank(s) and associated piping to ensure proper handling and disposal.  If required or warranted TankTek will also conduct a Phase II ESA to evaluate the adverse environmental impact and to provide cost saving remediation options for contaminated soil and/or groundwater.

TankTek can also help you secure and coordinate the installation of replacement tanks and associated equipment.  We strive to minimize the disruption to your business and to have you operating back at full capacity as soon as possible.

We not only manage the removal of leaking storage tanks, we also manage the removal of abandon tanks and complete decommissioning of sites, and advise you of your reporting obligations.  Abandoned, old or leaking petroleum tank are required to be removed under the Technical Standards and Safety Act 2000.  There are also requirements for reporting tank removals and/or the discovery of leaks or spills, requirements for full deleinatation of contamination plumes (soil and groundwater) and requirements for remediation (clean-up) or implementing a contaminant management plan.  TankTek readily advise you of your obligations in easy to understand terms and can ensure your tank removal is completed in full compliance of applicable regulations.

The following regulations should be consulted for specific details.

• The Fuel Oil Code, Ontario Regulation 213/01 (revised May 1, 2007)
• Liquid Fuel Handling Code, Ontario Regulation 217/01 (revised September 1, 2007)

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In Situ Remediation:

• Provides multiple alternatives to full scale site excavation
• In place chemical and biological treatment of contaminated
  soil and groundwater
• Use patent technologies that are guaranteed
• Possess a mobile Certificate of Approval from the MOE
  
  

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Phase I Environmental Site Assessments

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) is an investigation of current and historical land use, ownership and tenancy of a property. The purpose of a Phase I ESA is to assess the likely environmental risk of a property by identify potential issues of environmental concern.

In Canada, Phase I ESAs are completed to meet the requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Standard Z768-94. This document should be reference for specific details of Phase I ESAs.

General activities that comprise a Phase I ESA include collecting existing information through a records review, a site visit (visual review) and interviews. The collected information is evaluated and compiled into a detailed Phase I ESA report. If warranted, the Phase I ESA report will include recommendations for further investigations (e.g., an intrusive Phase II ESA) or recommendations for mechanisms or actions to be implemented to meet current environmental regulations. A Phase I ESA does not include sampling or laboratory analysis activities (which are typical aspects of an intrusive investigation or a Phase II ESA).

Phase I ESA’s are typically completed as conditional requirements for:

• the renewal of a mortgage on a commercial or industrial property;
• the purchase/sales agreement of a property transaction;
• permit applications associated with the initial development or redevelopment of a property;
• the change in tenancy of a commercial or industrial property; and
• the implementation of an environmental management plan (ISO 14000).

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Phase II and Phase III Environmental
Site Assessments

(Field Sampling and Laboratory Analysis)
The purpose of a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is to evaluate potential issues of environmental concern, in order to confirm the presence or to demonstrate the absence of an environmental liability. Phase II ESAs are typically commissioned due to the recommendations of a Phase I ESA.

Field sampling and analysis programs must be developed on a site-specific basis in consultation between the Client and TankTek’s environmental professionals.
The sampling and analysis program may include analysis of the following elements to evaluate levels/concentrations of chemical parameters, minerals, populations or radioactivity:

• Soil drilling or test pitting with surface or subsurface soil sampling
• Geophysical survey
• Soil vapour surveys
• Surface or groundwater water sampling
• Indoor or outdoor air sampling<
• Sediment sampling
• Designated Substance Sampling (Bill 208 Survey)

A Phase III ESA may be required if unacceptable levels of contamination were identified by a Phase II ESA and more information is required (further delineation) to evaluate the optimum remediation (clean-up) or management action. A Phase III ESA may require a limited field component and a thorough investigation of science, public policy, social, economic, and legal issues that may affect the potential methods of remediation or management.

A Phase III study may include elements such as:

• The assessment of storage, removal, disposal and treatment alternatives for contaminated materials.
• Quantitative risk assessment for single contaminants and contaminant mixtures.
• Human and/or environmental exposure estimation.
• Computer modeling of environmental fate and transport processes.
• The review of rationales for relevant environmental guidelines, standards, and regulations.
• The development of Site-specific criteria to ensure protection of human health and the environment and to allow evaluation of the proposed remedial or management measures.

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Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber which is mined in various countries around the world.  Asbestos is known for its fire retardant and insulating qualities as well as having great tensile strength and flexibility.  Asbestos use has been linked to over 3,000 different products of which approximately 70% are related to the construction industry.  Some typical asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are insulation or fire proofing materials (which may be found on pipe elbows, pipe straights, boilers, water tanks, steel beams or the underside of steel roofing decks), plaster and textured wall and ceiling coatings, drywall compound, caulking, floor and ceiling tiles, and ridged construction panels.

Asbestos may present a serious health hazard to humans when its fibers become airborne and are subsequently inhaled or ingested.  Site owners and managers can face potential liabilities associated with the presence and/or removal of asbestos containing materials (ACMs).  Ontario Regulations 278/05 provide a safe set of guidelines for the management of ACMs.  In accordance with Ontario Regulation 278/05, site owners are required to have an ACMs survey completed if ACMs are suspected to be present on their site.

ACMs surveys and ACMs removal (removal is sometimes referred to as abatement) shall only be completed by appropriately trained and qualified personal.  Improper handling of ACMs can result in the release of asbestos fibers and dangerous health conditions which could contaminate an entire building.

TankTek provides the following services to assist you in dealing with your asbestos related issues:

• Asbestos Location Surveys
• Operation and Management Planning
• Training of staff, required for Management Plan implementation
• Specifications for removal
• Review of asbestos removal operations and air quality monitoring

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Other General Services

In addition to the services outlined in detail TankTek frequently also provides the following engineering and contracting services:

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