U.S. Water News Online
DES MOINES, Iowa -- There are still 1,854 underground fuel storage tank sites in Iowa that state environmental officials consider to be a danger to the soil and groundwater.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources began its push to remove the leaky underground fuel storage tanks in 1988, and now, 15 years later, officials say progress has been made. But they also warn that more work needs to be done.
``When all this began in 1988, we were looking at a universe of more than 20,000 tanks statewide,'' said Jim Humeston, supervisor of the DNR's Underground Storage Tank Section. ``Now we're down to 7,925.''
But the state still classifies 1,854 of those as being a risk, including 1,249 that are categorized as ``high-risk'' sites that are actively monitored.
``These are sites with tanks that did have a leak or a suspected leak,'' Humeston said. ``It doesn't mean they are still leaking. If we identified a leak, the tank has been repaired or replaced. At some of the sites classified as high- or low-risk, the tanks may have been removed.''
Humeston said the state adopted a risk-based method for ordering corrective action in 1995.
``We determine the risk the site poses to public health and to the environment ,'' he said.
He said soil and groundwater samples are collected at the sites and a model is made of how far the contamination extends.
If no risk is found, no cleanup is required. Low-risk sites are monitored annually. Owners of high-risk sites have to correct the problem, Humeston said.
New storage tanks are required to have leak detection systems and owners are required by state law to report leaks or spills. All underground fuel storage tanks with a capacity of more than 110 gallons must be licensed annually by the state.
The DNR has only six inspectors who keep an eye on underground storage tanks in Iowa.
They do periodic inspections and get to each site only once every three or four years, Humeston said.
If a leak occurs, it could take up to eight years and several hundred thousand dollars to clean it up, he said.
Since October 1990, the state has been collecting a penny-a-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel fuel to help pay for the costs of cleanup not covered by insurance.
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