Former Citgo Station Now Tankless

In case you are wondering what the pile of concrete rubble might be at the former Citgo station at the corner of Gross Point and Crawford, it is related to the removal of three gasoline tanks at the site on April 24-25, 2013.

Two of the tanks were 8,000 gallons each, while the third was 10,000 gallons.  To expose the tanks, construction workers demolished the old steel canopy, removed concrete pavement, and excavated the soil above the tanks.  The tanks were then lifted to the surface, access holes cut into each, and then any liquid and sediment contents removed to a waiting tanker truck.

While it is unknown whether any of the original backfill around the tanks was removed to a landfill, some of the backfill was observed by an environmental consultant to be contaminated with petroleum products.  The contamination originated from holes in the tanks or from the piping leading to or from the tanks.  The site owner, Crawford & Gross Point LLC, properly reported this contamination to the Illinois Environmental Administration (IEPA) in what’s called the 20-Day Report.

Soil samples were taken from the backfill under the tanks and from along the tank walls for analysis.  The results of the soil sampling analysis will indicate whether further remediation is necessary to clean the site.  The results of the soil sampling analysis will be included in what’s called the 45-Day Report, as well as a description of the next steps to be taken at the site, whether it be more extensive testing, a proposed remediation plan, or even no further action (should the samples be clean and the full extent of the contaminated backfill has been removed to a landfill).  The 45-Day Report will be filed with the IEPA shortly.

By following the IEPA’s submittal protocol and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Program regulations, the owner could qualify for a partial reimbursement for the tank removal and remediation expenses that are being incurred.  The reimbursement is a strong positive incentive for any owner who is redeveloping a site.  But the elimination of the contamination is a strong environmental benefit for the community.

Carl Bova