NORRISTOWN, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection this week ordered Getty Realty Corp. and Getty Petroleum Marketing to investigate and correct soil and groundwater contamination from three underground storage tanks (USTs) at the Getty gas station in Linwood, Upper Chichester Township, Delaware County.
Residents of this community need to be assured that an aggressive and immediate cleanup is under way that protects them from any potential harm, said Joseph Feola, DEP southeast regional office director. This order outlines a course [image-nocss] of action with strict deadlines for the company to demonstrate progress in addressing the contamination issues from its underground tanks.
The Linwood Getty station has a history of leaks from its underground tanks, DEP said, but it has taken steps to remediate the soil and groundwater. In December 1994 and September 2001, the department received notification of unleaded gasoline releases underground that were found in the soil and groundwater. The station has been undergoing cleanup from these releases.
Last March, a tank truck spilled 75 gallons of gasoline during a product delivery that spread beyond the property.
The administrative order, issued May 15, calls the owner and operator to:
Test and monitor the USTs for a potential ongoing gasoline release. Results, as well as the tank and piping release detection records from March 2006 to present, are to be submitted to DEP by May 29. Immediately identify and sample affected, or potentially affected, public and private water supplies; investigate possible areas that could be prone to contamination or intrusion, such as basements, streams and utility conduits; and perform any other actions necessary to protect public health and safety. Begin recovering escaped gasoline at the station and surrounding areas by May 21, and continue doing so until notified by DEP in writing to cease. Submit a written progress report to the department by the 15th of each month. Conduct a complete site characterization and submit a complete report that details the extent of contamination.If the site characterization report does not demonstrate compliance under Act 2, the Land Recycling & Environmental Remediation Standards Act, Getty will be required to submit a remedial action plan.
The administrative order also makes provisions for monitoring and mitigating air quality issues. Many homes have been monitored for petroleum vapors since 2005. In June of that year, DEP received the results of indoor air sampling tests that were conducted at two residences near the station. The sampling tests found an elevated level of benzene, a gasoline additive and known carcinogen, in one of the homes.
The department recommended that Getty install a ventilation system in the affected residence and closely monitor the air quality in the second home.
In April of this year, additional air testing was conducted in the affected residence. Those tests also found benzene in the basement and second floor of the home. Testing outside of the home showed the ambient concentration was lower than the concentration inside the home.
The administrative order directs the company to continue to monitor vapors at the two residences with two more air samples, which are to be taken by May 18 and June 29. Getty must also investigate vapor intrusion to indoor areas through a soil gas survey by May 25.
DEP enforces corrective action cleanups from regulated storage tanks under state and federal laws. One law, the Storage Tanks & Spill Prevention Act of 1989, significantly raised the performance standards for gas stations across Pennsylvania.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.