Safe to Live Near a Former Fuel Depot?
This guide helps you assess whether a property near a former fuel depot is safe for residential living. You’ll learn what records to check, what site conditions to look for, and how to interpret environmental reports. Before you start, gather the property’s address and any known historical details about the depot’s operation.
What You’ll Need
- Property address and parcel number
- Access to the internet for database searches
- Contact information for local environmental agencies
- Optional: a home soil/water test kit (for initial screening)
Step-by-Step
- Identify the exact location and boundaries. Use a property map or GIS (Geographic Information System) from your local county assessor’s office to determine the distance between the proposed home and the former depot’s footprint. Note any wells, gardens, or play areas that might be in the path of potential contamination.
- Check the official environmental database. Search the U.S. EPA’s EnviroMapper or your state’s equivalent for the address. Look for listings like CERCLIS (Superfund), RCRA (hazardous waste), or state-specific spill sites. A listing doesn’t automatically mean unsafe, but it triggers further investigation.
- Obtain the site’s historical records. Contact your state’s environmental agency (e.g., Department of Environmental Quality) and request any Phase I or Phase II Environmental Site Assessments, closure reports, or corrective action plans. These documents detail what contamination was found and whether it was cleaned up.
- Review the cleanup status. Look for terms like “No Further Action” (NFA) or “case closed.” This usually means the site meets residential standards. If the status is “active” or “monitored,” find out what remains and whether there are restrictions (e.g., no groundwater use).
- Assess the type of contamination. Fuel depots typically involve petroleum hydrocarbons (BTEX – benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene) and sometimes additives like MTBE. Check if the contamination is in soil, groundwater, or soil vapor. Vapor intrusion into buildings is a key concern for homes.
- Determine the direction of groundwater flow. Ask the environmental agency for hydrogeological data. If your property is downgradient (downhill in the groundwater flow) from the depot, contamination may have migrated toward you. This is critical if you have a private well.
- Test your soil and water. If you have a well, have it tested for petroleum compounds by a certified lab. For soil, take samples from areas where children play or where you’ll garden. Compare results to residential screening levels from your state.
- Check for vapor intrusion risks. If the depot had underground tanks, ask about soil vapor testing. Even if soil and water are clean, vapors can accumulate in basements. Look for any vapor mitigation systems (like sub-slab depressurization) that may be required.
- Consult a professional. If any report shows contamination, hire an environmental engineer or geologist to interpret the data. They can assess risks specific to your family’s health and property use.
- Consider future liability and resale. Even if safe now, a nearby contamination site can affect property value and insurance. Check with a real estate attorney about disclosure laws and potential long-term monitoring costs.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming “No Further Action” means zero risk. NFA often means the site meets current standards, but residual contamination may remain. Always read the full report for conditions like “institutional controls” (e.g., no groundwater pumping).
- Only checking the EPA’s national list. Many smaller spills are handled by state or local agencies. Always check state databases too.
- Ignoring the distance. A depot 500 feet away might be fine, but 50 feet away could be a problem. Distance matters, but also the direction of groundwater flow and soil type.
- Forgetting about vapor intrusion. This is a common oversight. Even if soil and water are clean, volatile chemicals can seep into basements. Ask specifically about vapor testing.
- Not testing your own well. Relying on the depot’s monitoring wells may not reflect your private well’s water quality. Always test your own supply.
Tips
- Visit the site during or after heavy rain – look for oily sheens on puddles or strange odors.
- Talk to neighbors who have lived there for decades. They can recall spills or cleanup activities that might not be in official records.
- If you’re buying, make the sale contingent on a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. It’s a small investment compared to potential health costs.
- Check if the property is in a designated “brownfield” area – these often have special funding for cleanup but may also have restrictions.
- Keep a copy of all environmental reports for your records. They may be needed for future insurance claims or resale.
Troubleshooting
- If you can’t find any records: Contact the local fire department or building department – they often have records of underground tank removals. Also check historical aerial photos (many are available online) to see the depot’s layout.
- If the cleanup status is unclear: File a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the state agency. They are required to respond, though it may take weeks.
- If your well test shows contamination: Do not drink the water. Install a treatment system (e.g., carbon filtration) and consult a professional about long-term solutions. Notify your local health department.
- If you smell petroleum indoors: Evacuate and call a professional immediately. This could indicate a vapor intrusion emergency. Do not try to fix it yourself.
- If the property is in a flood zone: Flooding can spread contamination. Check FEMA flood maps and consider this in your risk assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it ever completely safe to live near a former fuel depot?
Yes, if the site has been properly remediated and closed with no restrictions. Many former depots are now residential neighborhoods. The key is verifying the cleanup meets current residential standards.
What is the most common contaminant from fuel depots?
Petroleum hydrocarbons, especially benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX). Benzene is a known carcinogen, so its levels are closely monitored.
How far away is “safe” from a former fuel depot?
There’s no universal distance. It depends on the extent of contamination, soil type, and groundwater flow. A site with no contamination could be safe at 100 feet, while a plume could extend thousands of feet. Always rely on site-specific data.
Can I grow vegetables in my garden if the nearby depot had a leak?
Yes, but test the soil first. Plants can uptake some contaminants, but the main risk is soil ingestion and dust. If soil tests show levels above residential screening, use raised beds with clean soil.
Do I need to disclose the former depot when selling my home?
Most states require sellers to disclose known environmental hazards. If you have knowledge of the depot and its history, you must disclose it. Check your state’s specific laws.
What should I do if I’ve already bought a home and then discover a problem?
Contact your state environmental agency and a lawyer. You may have legal recourse if the seller failed to disclose. Also, consider testing your indoor air for volatile compounds.
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