Lakeside Office Park Underground Tank Removal

Upon discovery of an oil tank leak at 595-599 North Avenue, CommTank was called to help assist in cleaning up. The crew was brought to the site on Lakeside Office Park's property, though it was employees at the Verizon utility house next door who originally noticed evidence of the #2 fuel. CommTank's Senior Project Manager, Yolanda Zavada, and crew immediately removed the Underground Storage Tank, which was at first believed to be the source. After investigating, though, the tank showed no sign of leakage. The team also revealed several empty, inactive tanks on site.

The Verizon site is located less than 100 yards from Lake Quannapowitt, thus CommTank had to go the extra yard to ensure that no contaminated groundwater would reach the lake. A severe December rainstorm may have caused some contaminated surface rainwater to reach the lake, though no polluted groundwater has yet to arrive at it. The Commission authorized CommTank to filter and test the groundwater and CommTank obtains an EPA permit to carefully discharge the waste.

CommTank has three recovery wells, which have thus far recovered 10,000 gallons of oily water and 200 gallons of oil, presently being stored in drums on site. In addition the crew will install an oil skimming system with intent of finding the source of the oil. The only indication thus far is that the oil was confined under a building and steadily made its way out once the lake was pumped down. Though Zavada and crew would like to drill deeper to further investigate the source of oil, it is not viable due to the closeness of the underground utility lines.

Conservation Commission has closed this public hearing on a Notice of Intent, but CommTank's job does not end there. Commissioner Frank Calandra has asked that we install borings to analyze the flow underground and to make sure nothing is traveling in the direction of the lake. To prevent any freezing, CommTank is set to perform the discharge once the weather warms up.

For more information about our environmental services please see our oil spill cleanup page.