Duane Hicks
Will remove
tank in fall
The town will continue to sell gas at the Sorting Gap Marina this summer, after which time the in-ground fuel tank there will be removed and the site prepared for an above-ground one in 2010.
After spending the past couple of budget meetings discussing what to do with the old fuel tank at the marina, town council received a report from Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown on Monday afternoon that recommended the town continue to provide gasoline to the public at the marina from May 15-Sept. 7 utilizing the existing fueling system.
No upgrades will be required.
After Sept. 7 (the closing date for the marina), the existing 10,000-litre underground storage tank and associated piping will be removed in accordance with Technical Standards and Safety Authority and Ministry of Environment requirements.
At that time, it will be determined if there is any soil contamination (if so, the issue will be addressed).
Work also will include the installation of a new electrical conductor or cable for an above-ground tank pump, as well as double wall underground piping from the above-ground tank location to the existing dispenser, and a new above-ground tank transit sump.
There also will be upgrades to the existing dispenser, including a new island and sump.
The area of the boat launch that was disturbed due to the removal of the underground tank, and installation of new piping and electrical cable, will be resurfaced with asphalt.
Brown noted that during this stage, the town will have to retain a petroleum mechanic to supervise the disconnection and decommissioning of the underground tank, as well as hire an engineering firm to take soil samples.
Town workers will excavate the tank, assist the petroleum mechanic, and haul granular material to the site to fill the void left by the tank.
This will be similar to when the underground heating oil tank was removed from the Civic Centre back in 2006.
The report then recommended that in April or early May of 2010, the town will install a 4,500-litre above-ground tank, connect the new piping system and electrical cable to the above-ground tank, and install a new hose storage system.
Community Services manager George Bell said the work later this year is expected to come in under $35,000—the amount the town had budgeted in 2009 to initially fix the fuel tank.
The cost of a new tank is estimated to be less than $36,000, which would be included in the 2010 budget.
Coun. Paul Ryan agreed with the report, saying regardless of whether council decides to sell gas in the future or not, the site work (i.e., removing the old tank and cleaning up the site) needs to be done.
Even if council opts not put in the above-ground tank next year due to financial constraints, Coun. Ryan noted doing the in-ground work (wiring and piping) later this year will allow a future council or other party the option of selling gas there without having to tear up the ground again.
