TORONTO UNDERGROUND STORAGE
TANK REMOVAL (UST)
Underground Storage Tank Removal and Disposal Contractor
Danosh Construction is an experienced and professional Underground Storage Tank (UST) removal contractor working in Toronto, Ontario, offering services for the decommissioning and removal of decommissioned and/or abandoned underground oil tanks. We carry full liability insurance and are licensed with the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. We own and operate all the required equipment to complete the removal of an underground storage tank of any size, in Toronto, Ontario. And ee partner with licensed Environmental Engineers to ensure all our work is conducted properly.
If your home or business in Toronto, Ontario has a suspected underground sorage tank or buried tank, whether fuel tank or oil tank, that is no longer in use or past it's service life cycle, it MUST be removed. Abandoned oil tanks often times can leak, spread contamination into the soil, and cause bad odours/hazard risks. These issues must be handled by qualified and licensed professionals. For more specific regulation information regarding underground tanks, read our Blog Post.
What is an Underground Storage Tank?
An underground storage tank (UST) is a tank buried underneath the ground, ranging in size, and used to hold a variety of substances like fuel and oil. They are commonly used to heat homes, run backup generators, or as a reserve tanks. Other commonly used names are Underground Oil Tank, Underground Fuel Storage Tank (UFST), or Abandoned Underground Storage Tank.
Why should you get your Underground Storage Tank Removed?
There are numerous reasons why you may want to remove an buried underground tank. If you have a buried oil tank that has been lying dormant or is no longer in use, regulating bodies require its removal. Over time these oil tanks may pose a hazard to your health, cause bad smells, or leak and contaminate the surrounding soil. This can have enormous environmental impacts as just small amounts of oil or gasoline leakage can affect the soil around your property, your drinking water, and can cause a buildup of explosive vapors underneath the ground. Underground storage tanks generally have a life expectancy of 20-25 years, therefore if you suspect your tank may be older, it is time to get it removed.
Common reasons to remove your Underground Storage Tank
-
You are building a new house
-
Your house is for sale
-
You are doing a renovation
-
Your UST has leaked and you have contaminated soil
-
Your tank has been unused for a number of years
-
You have found one by accident
See our UST Removal Photo Gallery
How to tell if you have a Buried or Underground Storage Tank
A simple way to locate an underground storage tank in Toronto, Ontario is to look for 2 pipes outside your home: a fill pipe, and vent pipe. It is common that these pipes go through the outside wall of your home, but often they just lead straight down into the ground. If you find 2 copper pipes leading into your basement, this is a great indication that a tank is present. Additionally, you could check for depressions in your yard that may determine if an underground tank is still there. If you think you may have an buried tank, there are 2 main courses of action to take. The first is by use of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). GPR is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface, a nondestructive method to map out any abnormalities present in the ground that may confirm the presence of a buried tank. The second course of action is a physical investigation, and usually implemented when fill and/or vent pipes are present. An excavation along the present pipes to determine what, if anything, is still present in the ground.
The following diagram shows a typical underground oil tank;
Steps Involved to Remove Underground Storage Tanks
The removal of an underground storage tank is required to be completed by a licensed professional and should not be attempted by untrained personnel, there are many underground services or
1
Call for underground locates to assess and flag buried services in tank location
2
Excavate to locate the top of the buried oil tank
3
Inspect the tank for any product remaining, pump out and dispose of product.
4
Remove tank from excavation and inspect for rust, holes, or leaks
5
Employ an Environmental Engineer to collect soil samples from tank bed area
6
If soil samples are confirmed clean, back fill excavation with clean material to grade
7
If soil contamination is found, a meeting with property owners will be held to discuss and determine the best possible steps for remediation. Danosh Construction can provide equipment and manpower rates for the removal of contaminated soil and other Remediation Activities
IMPORTANT!
REMOVAL OF UNDERGROUND OIL TANKS MUST BE COMPLETED BY A LICENSED TECHNICIAN AND PROPER DOCUMENTATION MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE TSSA UPON COMPLETION. FAILURE TO COMPLETE THIS WORK PROPERLY COULD RESULT IN FINES FROM THE MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
Additional Links for Under and Above Ground Storage Tanks
Toronto Underground Tank Removal - ​Regulations
https://www.toronto.ca/311/knowledgebase/kb/docs/articles/provincial-agency/underground-oil-tanks-aboveground-oil-tanks-regulations.html
​
TSSA Storage Tank Regulations - General Information
https://www.tssa.org/en/fuels/storage-tanks.aspx
​