The State has a Trust Fund for eligible tank owners, which reimburses the costs for State-required assessment and cleanup associated with USTs (if completed in accordance with State guidelines). Cedar Rock will help determine your eligibility status, and prepare and submit all necessary application and reimbursement paperwork. For eligible tank owners, Cedar Rock guarantees 100% reimbursement of applicable charges.

8) How can I learn more about residential USTs?

Call Cedar Rock for a free consultation. In addition, the State has a website that presents information on the regulations concerning residential USTs, Trust Fund financial assistance, how to choose a qualified environmental consultant, and other pertinent information. When you close out this page, visit Cedar Rock's webpage titled "Regulations" for the link to the State's website.

9) Why can't I just fill my UST with sand, water, or foam?

A UST can be abandoned in-place if certain conditions exist. In most cases, abandoning a UST in-place is not an option if leakage has contaminated the underlying soils and/or groundwater. Therefore, one must be able to show that leakage has not occurred. The tank owner should obtain a report from a NC licensed geologist or engineer certifying that the soils beneath the tank have not been impacted by a release, before abanding a UST. If in-place abandonment is a viable option, then certain steps must be taken to abandon the tank properly. The UST must be cut open so that the interior can be cleaned out so that when the tank eventually rusts away, no leakage occurs. Then the tank must be completely filled. Sand will not flow from one end of the UST to the other, so a sinkhole may develop when the steel tank rusts away. Water will just leak out, and a large sinkhole will develop at a later date. Foam doesn't appear to work as it was intended (see our photographs and explanation on our "Abandonment" webpage). It is very important to have a report signed and sealed by a NC licensed geologist or engineer showing that the UST was properly abandoned.

Cedar Rock will investigate the possibility of fuel oil usage at a property, locate the UST if one exists, inspect the soils beneath the tank for signs of leakage, and provide a report signed and sealed by a NC-licensed geologist, for a charge of $200 (price may vary according to travel distance and site variables). Call today for more information and to schedule a site inspection.

10) Should I be concerned about leakage from a UST that is still being used?

Yes, absolutely! Leakage from a UST usually begins while it is still in use. Even if a tank is only a few years old, it is a good idea to have the soils beneath the UST inspected.