Q & A

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if my tank leaked?

• Once you have verified that your storage tank has leaked, regardless of the quantity, you must report it to the NJDEP Action Hot Line.  The Action Hot line phone number is 877-WARN DEP.
• Call your oil carrier and inform them of your findings.  Some oil carriers provide a tank protection program that requires you to notify them immediately, once you discover a problem.
• Contact an environmental contractor so that they may assess your problem and offer you solutions and costs associated with a tank removal and/or cleanup procedure that may be required.

Should I remove my tank or abandon it?

• Our policy at Hydroscience, Inc. has always been "If it is possible to remove the tank, then REMOVE IT".
• Hydroscience, Inc. has been involved in countless tank removals of previously abandoned tanks.  Often, buyers of residential properties do not want a previously abandoned tank on the property, regardless. The "bottom line" is removing a tank that is properly abandoned is usually more costly and labor intensive than having the tank removed from the beginning general.
• The only time an abandonment should be considered is when removing the tank would compromise the structural integrity of a foundation, chimney, multilevel deck, elaborate landscaping, etc.
• A great deal of information is provided in our Brochure page and our Abandonment page.  You may find the answers to many of your questions there.

Do you work in my town?

• Currently, our coverage area includes all of Central and Southern New Jersey.
• Hydroscience, Inc. works in the following counties.

                        Atlantic
                        Burlington
                        Camden
                        Cape May
                        Cumberland
                        Gloucester
                        Hunterdon (Southern)
                        Mercer
                        Middlesex
                        Monmouth
                        Ocean
                        Salem
                        Somerset (Southern)
Do you offer a tank protection service?

• Hydroscience, Inc. does not offer a tank protection program.
• Typically, your oil carrier will offer a Tank Protection Program. or your homeowners insurance company
• As an environmental contractor, it is in our opinion that if you have a storage tank, you should have a Tank Protection Program.  Most of these programs cost only pennies per day and offer up to $100,000.00 of coverage.

Should I "Pressure Test" my tank?

• This is a tricky question.  A direct answer to the question is, Maybe.
• It is the opinion of Hydroscience, Inc. that soil sampling should be the testing method performed on all tank evaluations.
• Our policy at Hydroscience, Inc. is that no tank over four years old should be pressure tested.
• Any time you introduce a pressure into your older tank, you take the risk of compromising the structural integrity of the tank or the tank system.  Don't forget that a Vacuum test is a negative pressure and a Tightness test or Precision test is a positive pressure.
• Some tank protection programs become void once you pressure test your tank.  Make sure you are choosing the best testing methodology for your tank.
• There are Pros and Cons with many of the testing methodologies being used today.  Hydroscience, Inc. has let experience choose our testing procedure, which we believe offers the most reliable results at a very cost effective manner.  By collecting and analyzing soil samples in the area immediately surrounding the storage tank, we can get an accurate picture of the soil quality that the tank is sitting on.
• Take a look at our Tank Investigations page for a detailed description of this methodology.

How long should my tank last?

• Many factors go into the life expectancy of your storage tank.
• We have seen tanks that are 40 years old that look like they are 3 years old. We have also seen tanks that are 3 years old look like they are 40 years old.
• The life expectancy of your tank is dependant upon; its location on your property, the height of your groundwater table, the geologic characteristics of your soil, the conductivity of your soil, as well as many other factors.  
• In the majority of the locations in our coverage area, the average life expectancy of an underground storage tank is typically 18 years.  How old is your tank?

What is an MOA?

• A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is a document that, when completed correctly, allows the NJDEP to assign a case manager to you once it has been determined that your tank has leaked.  The NJDEP case manager will review your case and assist you with case closure.
• Many more detailed answers can be found in the Voluntary Cleanup Program section on the NJDEP website.

How do I fill out my MOA?

• An MOA can be filled out by the property owner.
• If you have contracted Hydroscience, Inc. to perform your necessary remediation, we will be happy to assist you in this process.
• You can download a copy of an MOA from the NJDEP website.

How long will my tank removal take?

• Most tank removals are half-day to full-day projects.
• For tank removal procedures, Hydroscience, Inc. acquires all permits and schedules that are necessary with the local municipalities for required inspections and provides the necessary clean fill.

Will my insurance company pay for my cleanup?

• This depends on your Homeowner's Insurance Policy.
• As a rule of thumb, if groundwater is impacted by contaminated soil or heating oil, some coverage can be assumed.  This type of coverage is typically reserved for your primary residence and would fall under your Third Party Liability clause.
• Homeowner's insurance companies generally have no obligation to cover this type of third party liability for your commercial or rental properties
• Your insurance company may either reimburse you or pay prior to services rendered.  The percentage of coverage and method of payment depend upon the policies of your insurance company.
• Hydroscience, Inc. continues to maintain our professional relationship with many Homeowner's insurance companies.

Can I remove my tank by myself?

• At this time, residential storage tanks are not regulated by the NJDEP.  This means that as long as you are following the local municipal codes, anyone can remove your tank.  However, some municipalities are requiring tank removals to be performed by licensed contractors certified with the respective municipality. There is also pending state legislation requiring any tank removal activity to be performed by a licensed contractor.
• A potential problem exists when and if your tank shows signs of a discharge.  Only an environmental contractor licensed by the NJDEP, can remove contaminated soil and provide the proper remedial procedures that will be required by law.

Do I have to remove my residential tank?

• Currently there are no laws requiring you to remove your residential tank from the ground if it is not leaking.  However, with the environmental awareness of Realtors, closing attorneys and potential buyers, removing your underground storage tank has become commonplace prior to the transfer of Real Estate.  
• Many times, homeowners switch to an aboveground tank or convert to natural gas and feel they do not need remove their underground storage tank.  In this situation, this tank lies dormant for many years underground, full of contents and eroding away. This negligence will lead to a potentially costly problem.
• Homeowners, who try to either refinance, switch homeowner's insurance companies, or sell their house, must now deal with the underground storage tank.  The underground storage tank that lays dormant may have started to leak.  Unfortunately, because the homeowner did not originally remove the tank, they will now potentially have the financial burden of some form of cleanup.
• So, you do not have to remove your tank, but don't you think you should?

What is a Phase I or Phase II?

• A Phase I is an environmental assessment on a commercial property.  A Phase I is an in depth review of all local and state records as well as a detailed site inspection on the subject property noting any identifiable environmental concerns.  The purpose of this service is to determine if any environmental issues exist.
• A Phase II is an investigation of items uncovered from a Phase I.
• This service is typically applicable to commercial transactions.