School Bus Garage Fuel Tank Removal & Site Restoration
Tipp City, Ohio | Underground Storage Tank Removal | Aboveground Storage Tank Removal | Fuel System Decommissioning | BUSTR Compliance
Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC) served as the prime contractor for the removal of aging fuel storage tanks at a public school district’s bus garage in Tipp City, Ohio.
The site had an 8,000-gallon underground diesel tank and three 500-gallon aboveground gasoline tanks, along with piping, a dispenser, concrete pads, bollards, and electrical components. No one knew for sure whether petroleum had leaked beneath the tanks, so the plan had to allow for closure sampling and possible contaminated soil.
ERC delivered a turnkey tank closure, removing the full fuel system, meeting BUSTR and State Fire Marshal requirements, and restoring the site with engineered backfill while school operations carried on nearby.
Project at a Glance
- Location: Tipp City, Ohio
- Client: Public school district
- Engineer: Environmental engineering firm
- Prime Contractor: Environmental Remediation Contractor (ERC)
- Regulatory Agencies: Ohio BUSTR and Ohio State Fire Marshal
- Contract Value: over $30,000
Key Project Results
- 1 underground storage tank removed (8,000 gallons, diesel)
- 3 aboveground storage tanks removed (1,500 gallons total, gasoline)
- 9,500 gallons of total fuel storage capacity decommissioned
- 1 fuel dispenser, piping, bollards, and electrical components removed
- Approximately 16 tons of concrete removed
- Approximately 100 tons of ODOT 304 limestone backfill installed and compacted
Why Did the School District Need Its Fuel Tanks Removed?
The bus garage’s fuel tanks were aging and had become a liability. Old tanks and piping carry a growing risk of leaks, and keeping them in service means ongoing compliance obligations.
Removing the system eliminated that risk and freed up the property for future use.
How Is an Underground Storage Tank Removed Safely?
A UST removal follows a set process under Ohio BUSTR rules. ERC coordinated utilities and permits, excavated around the tank, cleaned it, made it vapor-free, and lifted it out for transportation and disposal.
The three aboveground tanks, the dispenser, and the piping were removed at the same time, along with the concrete pads and bollards that supported them.
What Happens if Contamination Is Found Under a Fuel Tank?
That’s why closure assessment is part of every tank removal. Samples are taken from the excavation to check for petroleum impacts.
ERC built the project to handle that uncertainty. Excavated soil was stockpiled pending lab results, and the scope included contingency plans for petroleum-impacted soil and groundwater if sampling called for it.
How Did ERC Work Around an Active School Facility?
The bus garage stayed in use, and separate demolition was happening next door.
ERC kept the site secure, coordinated closely with the school district and its engineer, and sequenced the work to limit disruption to daily school operations.
How Was the Site Restored After the Tanks Were Removed?
ERC backfilled the excavation with approximately 100 tons of ODOT 304 limestone, compacted it in place, and completed final grading.
The result was a safe, stable surface ready for whatever the district plans next.
Why Was This Project Complex?
ERC had to manage several conditions at once:
- Both underground and aboveground tanks in one scope
- Unknown subsurface conditions beneath the tanks
- BUSTR and State Fire Marshal requirements
- Utility coordination and electrical disconnection
- An active school facility next to the work area
- Adjacent demolition by others
- Stockpile management pending lab results
Who Removes Fuel Tanks for Schools and Public Facilities in Ohio?
Tank removals at schools and public facilities should be handled by environmental contractors who know BUSTR and Fire Marshal requirements and can manage the full job, from permits through restoration.
ERC performs UST and AST removal, fuel system decommissioning, and closure assessment support for school districts, municipalities, property owners, and engineers across Ohio and the region.
What Services Did ERC Provide on This Project?
- Underground Storage Tank (UST) Removal
- Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Removal
- Fuel System Decommissioning
- Tank Cleaning and Disposal
- Utility and Piping Removal
- Concrete Demolition
- Closure Assessment Support
- Petroleum-Impacted Soil and Groundwater Contingency Services
- Backfill and Compaction
- Site Restoration
- Environmental Compliance and Regulatory Coordination
Have Aging Fuel Tanks That Need to Come Out?
Environmental Remediation Contractor provides turnkey UST and AST removal, from permits and tank cleaning through disposal, closure support, and site restoration.
ERC works with school districts, public agencies, property owners, and engineers to remove fuel system liabilities safely and in full compliance.