LIBERTY —
The state is removing underground storage tanks that could pose a threat to Liberty’s water supply.
Officials from the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are overseeing the removal along with environmental consultants from URS Corp. Crews from Garco Inc. of Asheboro are doing the actual removal.
The site is at Liberty Tire & Auto on Greensboro Street. A city well is just yards from both underground diesel and gasoline tanks.
Andria Merritt, a hydrogeologist with DENR, said the action is taking place with the authority of a state contract to address the abandoned underground storage tanks. She said the tanks were installed in 1975, a few years before the state tightened underground storage tank rules.
The property is owned by Les Hinshaw, who now leases the site to Liberty Tire & Auto. Hinshaw built a trucking company there and later ran H&M Tire Service.
Merritt said there are six tanks on-site: a waste well tank, two diesel tanks and three gasoline tanks. On Monday, crews dug up the waste well tank and uncovered the two diesel tanks to pump out contents before removal.
Once the tanks are removed, samples of the underlying soil will be sent to a lab for testing. Merritt said from the looks of the soil around the diesel tanks, there appeared to be little contamination. However, results are inconclusive until soil testing is completed.
“Those aren’t as bad as some,” said Merritt. “We pull tanks from 1940.”
She said the concern was the proximity of the tanks to the town well. They’re also considered substandard since they were installed prior to tougher underground storage tank laws.
Merritt said DENR was aware of the site but was unable to extract them without permission from the owner. She credited N.C. Rep. Pat Hurley and Liberty Town Manager Roger Davis with getting access to the tanks through Hinshaw, authorizing DENR to do the work.
The state will pay for the work with the Abandoned Underground Storage Tank Fund. The site qualified for funding because of the threat to the town water supply.
The diesel fuel pumped from the tanks will be recycled and used as lower grade fuel. Any water separated from the oil will be treated and placed in the Asheboro sewer system.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Crews from Garco Inc. in Asheboro pumped fluids from abandoned underground diesel storage tanks last week near a public well in Liberty. Larry Penkava/The Randolph Guide
Discussion
State removes old tanks
- Local News
-
-
Best Super Bowl ad? Vote for your favorite
Naked M&Ms, an out-of-shape dog on a mission and Clint Eastwood delivering a passionate speech about American adversity -- these are among the favorite commercials that aired during Sunday's Super Bowl.
-
Music video being shot today, Saturday
CMG Records of Nashville is in town today and Saturday to film a video of local country singer William Willard.
-
NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving
It was kids, kids and more kids Wednesday at the Indiana Convention Center, as 38 classrooms of fifth- and sixth-graders enjoyed a morning at the NFL Experience, courtesy of the NFL’s Play 60 Challenge.
-
Super security goes into place for Super Bowl
Law enforcement officials charged with Super Bowl security are taking extraordinary measures to prevent a terrorist attack, but they’re also working to keep the event from being a field day for common criminals.
-
Communities In Schools – your chance to make a difference
Communities In Schools of Randolph County will hold its inaugural Mystery Theatre & Masquerade Ball: A Magical Night at Pinewood Country Club on March 30. Patricia Edwards, publisher of The Randolph Guide, gives the details and explains why CISRC needs you to not only plan to attend the event but to get involved.
-
Couples chosen for 2012 RCC dancing event
The dancer pairings for the Randolph Community College Foundation’s 2012 Dancing with the Randolph Stars benefit were announced at a “Meet the Stars” event held Jan. 29 at The Exchange.
-
Belichick: Indy friendlier after failed '09 call against Colts
Coach Bill Belichick jokes about the welcome he has gotten since arriving in Indianapolis -- where Colts fans are less-than-friendly toward his New England Patriots -- for Super Bowl XLVI.
-
Super prices for NFL's super event
The price tag of a prime seat in Lucas Oil Stadium for Super Bowl XLVI is officially $1,000, but cash-rich fans will shell out multiples of that to see the NFL championship game.
-
Last public execution subject of Feb. 4 presentation
Ricky Allred, who has conducted the Walk Thru the Past tours at the Old Asheboro Cemetery, will present the story of the Thomas Bowman hanging at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 in the restored courtroom of the Old Randolph County Courthouse.
-
This year's Super Bowl stadium 'Disney friendly'
National Football League officials are taking fan-friendly lessons from Disney World to make sure they don't repeat last year's Super Bowl stadium seating fiasco.
- More Local News Headlines
-
GOP Vows to Reverse Obama Birth Control Policy
13,000 Is Next Dow Milestone, Record in Sight
Santorum Wins Boost Fundraising, Stifle Romney
U.S. Seeks Political Path to Change in Syria
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Romney Congratulates Santorum, Focuses on Obama
Paul Says Results Help Him Rack Up Delegates
School Tries to Restore Trust After Abuse Claims
Raw Video: WH Fair Captures Obama's Inner Geek
Vending Machine Dispenses 'Morning-After' Pill
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Obama in U-turn on SuperPAC
