Aboveground and Underground Tank Removal Qualifications and Projects

Stanford University UST Closure
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Reference Contact:
Marty Laporte, Manager, Utilities Division
Stanford University
855 Serra Street, 2nd Floor
Stanford, CA 94505-6114
(415) 725-7864

Two 144,000-gal. concrete fuel tanks (total footprint 100 ft. by 36 ft.) were located partially under a building, below a 4-in. high-pressure PG&E gas main and surrounded by another 6-in. gas and water main and a road. The building was not operated by Stanford and the USTs were located in an area where noise and ground vibrations were a concern. Eight regulatory agencies were involved in the closure including Santa Clara Valley Water District, the Regional Water Quality Control Board, and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The complexity of this closure cannot be overstated. Wright designed an innovative plan to combine the UST closure, site investigation and site remediation phases of the project to significantly reduce project costs and timeline. Structural and geotechnical engineers were used to ensure building integrity, proper compaction and underground drainage. The USTs and site were properly closed to the satisfaction of the regulatory agencies.

Stanford Health Services UST Closure
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Reference Contact:
Rita Leone, Sun Microsystems
(408) 276-4775 or (408) 276-5096
(Formerly with Stanford Health Services)

Two 2,200-gal. USTs were located with over 15 ft. of soil covering the tanks and with an unknown tank orientation.  The project initially included closure of the USTs and 200 ft. of product piping. The Palo Alto Fire Department (PAFD) required the removal of the USTs and associated piping. When the USTs were uncovered, they were found to extend under an adjacent structure and connected to remote fill lines located at a point 400 ft. from the USTs. Wright negotiated with the PAFD for closure of the USTs and underground lines in place. Despite the expanded scope of work, Wright completed the project on schedule and within the original budget. (See recommendation letter from Stanford Health Services.)

Stanford University Underground Vault Closure
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Reference Contact:
Marty Laporte, Manager, Utilities Division
Stanford University
855 Serra Street, 2nd Floor
Stanford, CA 94505-6114
(415) 725-7864

In-place closure of four concrete, 100-yr.-old fuel-oil vaults was to be executed in a small courtyard area, while another contractor was simultaneously working on a renovation project. Field work was required to be completed within a two-week window. The occupants of an adjacent building needed forklift access through the project work area and during field work a third contractor also required access to the courtyard. Wright coordinated with the contractors to ensure access. In partnership with the client, Wright negotiated closure for the vaults from the SCCHD and completed fieldwork within the allotted time frame.  (See recommendation letter from Stanford University.)

PRC Environmental Management, Inc.  Removal of a UST, Naval Air Station, Alameda (1997)
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Reference Contact:
Margie Southern, Procurement Specialist
10670 White Rock Road, Suite 100
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
(916) 852-8300

PRC subcontracted with Wright to remove a 4,000-gal. underground storage tank at Site 5 at Alameda Naval Air Station. During excavation, sandy soils were encountered so Wright used a speed-shoring method to complete the removal. Contaminated soils were discovered at the lower portion of the capillary fringe. The soil was loaded into roll-off bins and transported to a Class III facility. Wright backfilled the hole with clean fill material and negotiated with Alameda County Environmental Health Division (ACEHD) to close in place the fuel lines, which ran under the building.

Defense Logistics Agency - Sharpe Depot  Removal of Acid Neutralization Tanks
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Reference Contact:
Sharon Dean, Contracting Officer
Administrative Support Center West
P.O. Box 960001
Stockton, CA  95296-0800
(209) 982-2427

The work consisted of the removal and disposal of three underground acid neutralization tanks, steel plate covers, zee-shaped framing, waste piping, tank liquid, and limestone. The three tanks were used for treating wash water contaminated with acid using limestone. Once the tanks and the associated appurtenances were removed, all piping coming into two of the sumps were capped off. Those sumps were filled with Control Density Fill to within eight in. of the finished floor, then concrete was poured to the floor surface and feathered to the existing floor. The third sump piping was capped off at one end, and the sump was then treated with an acid-resistant waterproof coating.  Once dried, Wright installed the new sump pump and grate. (This grate was manufactured by our technician.)

City of Tracy Underground Tank Removal and Installation Project
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Reference Contact:
Mr. Paul Verma
City of Tracy
520 Tracy Blvd.
Tracy, CA 95376
(209) 836-4420

Wright removed eight underground storage tanks from three sites undergoing roadway improvements.  Construction schedules for the roadway widening projects were in jeopardy due to these unknown tanks being present and exposed during road construction activities. Tank sizes, contents, and orientation were not known and thus posed a unique problem for the City. Working closely with City staff and Paul Verma, we obtained all required closure permits from county health agencies within 72 hours.  Concurrent with permitting, tanks at each site were exposed and the residual liquids were characterized and drained. Th tanks were then cleaned and prepared for excavation. Within ten days of being contracted, Wright removed all eight tanks, removed the contaminated soil, and backfilled and compacted the sites.

City of Tracy Underground Tank Removal and Installation Project (#2) [More photos] Motor fuel tank installation at City of Tracy's corporate yard (1999).
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Reference Contact:
Mr. Paul Verma
City of Tracy
520 Tracy Blvd.
Tracy, CA 95376
(209) 836-4420

Remove three underground storage tanks, and install two aboveground storage tanks (10,000 gal. each).  Installation included an oil/water separator, a full-service fueling station with canopy and lighting, concrete drive pads and parking apron, asphalt placing, storm drain and sewer modifications, and electrical service upgrade including a fuel-management-system installation.

Benicia Unified School District UST Removal and AST Installation Project
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Reference Contact:
Guy Creighton, Director of Facilities, Maintenance, Operations
350 E. K Street
Benicia, CA 94510
(707) 747-8300, ext. 296

The work consisted of the removal of one 500 gal. UST and the installation of one 1000 gal. AST.  Installation included the gasoline equipment package, electrical and plumbing, monitoring system, alarm panel, and all other associated equipment. The concrete drivepad was removed and replaced with new, including asphalt patching, management and disposal of hazardous and non hazardous materials.

Tracy Cemetery  Engineering Services and UST Removal and AST Installation
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Reference Contact:
Alma Lopez, Manager
P.O. Box 327
MacArthur Blvd. at Schulte Rd.
Tracy, CA 95378-0327
(209) 835-2930

Provide engineering services, construction drawings (as required by regulatory agency for permit submittal), regulatory review, and meet with City and County regulators to define a permissible fuel system.  Removal of two underground storage tanks (350 gal. each), and installation of one aboveground storage tank (500 gal. spilt). Scope of work included soil analysis and characterization.

The removal of seven underground fuel tanks and two hydraulic hoists.  Scope of work included soil analysis and contaminated soil management, working with the State Fund.

A.G. Spanos Jet Center Engineering Services and Aviation UST  Removal and  AST Installation
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Reference Contact:
Karen Garrett
4800 S. Airport Way
Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 478-2200

Provide engineering services, construction drawings (as required by regulatory agency for permit submittal), regulatory review, and meet with City and County regulators to define a permissible aviation fuel system.  Removal of two underground aviation fuel-storage tanks, and installation of two new underground storage tanks (one 12,000 gal. aviation fuel, and one 20,000 gal. Jet A).

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