That time my site survey saved a dig from a disaster

I was out at an old farmstead near Elkhart last spring, helping a crew map out potential dig spots. We were about to start excavating near this low mound when I noticed the soil had a weird oily sheen and smelled like gas from an old tank. I made them pause and call in a utility locator, and sure enough there was a buried 500 gallon diesel tank right underneath. It saved us from a huge contamination mess and maybe a fine from the county.

3 comments

3 Comments

evan_anderson8d ago

Saved your whole crew from a massive headache.

rowanjenkins7d ago

Saved your whole crew from a massive headache" - I mean, sure, but is it really that serious if it's just an old diesel tank? @evan_anderson, I've seen plenty of those things leak a little and the county barely bats an eye. Worst case you maybe dig around it.

the_rose7d ago

Alright but come on, a 500 gallon diesel tank that's been sitting in the ground for who knows how long? That thing is a ticking time bomb. I've seen county inspectors shut down entire projects over less than that, and fines can hit five figures easy if you hit a buried tank without checking first. Your crew got lucky you noticed the sheen, but honestly that's just basic due diligence for any site older than 20 years.