BCI Engineers and Scientists

BCI assisted a spill response contractor in performing corrective action to address a heating oil spill at a private residence in Climax, Michigan. Approximately 55 gallons of heating oil was released onto the ground surface after being transferred from an above ground storage tank to a leaking drum. BCI performed the following corrective action activities:

• Screened soils from the floor & sidewalls of the excavation for ionizable volatile organic compounds in the field using a calibrated photoionization detector (PID)
• Recommended additional excavation laterally & vertically based on the results of the field PID screening
• Collected verification of soil remediation samples for submittal to an analytical laboratory for heating oil indicator parameters
• Observed soil & groundwater characteristics
• Assessed groundwater for the presence of free phase liquid
• Collected a groundwater sample for submittal to an analytical laboratory for heating oil indicator parameters Verified disposal quantities
• Prepared a report documenting the results of the corrective action

Response activities were limited by the proximity of the foundation for the residence which comprised the northern limit of the excavation. However, guided by field screening, soils were removed to meet State of Michigan Part 201 residential cleanup criteria. The excavation was completed at the depth groundwater was encountered. Evidence of free phase product and strong petroleum odors were observed. After collection of soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis of heating oil indicator parameters, the excavation was backfilled with engineered, granular fill.

BCI reviewed the results of the analytical laboratory soil and groundwater testing and prepared a report detailing the effectiveness of the response activities for submittal to the resident’s insurance carrier.