Oil Tank removal

Any suggestions, good or not so good. Has anyone used Water Resource Technologies?

There are multiple threads about oil tank removal companies. Try the "search" feature.

Do you have a Proguard protection policy? If so, you need to use an approved vendor.

FYI, ProGuard Insurance does NOT cover Mike Waters.

I used A.L.L. Environmental & Tank Services. They work directly with ProGuard. They were great and very helpful during the entire process (especially Anna, the office manager).

A.L.L. Environmental & Tank Services, LLC.
2374 Waldheim Avenue
Scotch Plains NJ 07076
Phone; 908-755-2962

I used ALL Environmental as well (I couldn't remember their name earlier.) I thought they were great too.

We had our UST pulled last December. The guys were great and addressed my concerns about working in a tight space between our natural stone wall and the house. I'll pull the name out for you.

Are the same companies recommended for removal of tanks in basements (vs underground)? We've been putting off that task for years, but really should take care of it. Unfortunately, there is still some oil in the tank and I expect we will pay almost as much to get it removed and properly disposed of as to remove the tank itself.

A1 Tank Cleaning in West Orange. Excellent.

sac said:

Are the same companies recommended for removal of tanks in basements (vs underground)? We've been putting off that task for years, but really should take care of it. Unfortunately, there is still some oil in the tank and I expect we will pay almost as much to get it removed and properly disposed of as to remove the tank itself.

ALL Environmental charged $.72 per gallon to remove oil/water, plus the "vac" truck ($125 per hour).

We used Applied Service Corporation. Kevin Donlon. 973.579.3397

I recommend them because they were professional and reasonable. I called someone frequently recommended on MOL and he advised that there was a good chance he would cause damage to my wall. Instead, I used Applied which had smaller equipment available and good problem solvers. We had a 1000 gal tank removed (no leak!)

composerjohn said:

sac said:

Are the same companies recommended for removal of tanks in basements (vs underground)? We've been putting off that task for years, but really should take care of it. Unfortunately, there is still some oil in the tank and I expect we will pay almost as much to get it removed and properly disposed of as to remove the tank itself.

ALL Environmental charged $.72 per gallon to remove oil/water, plus the "vac" truck ($125 per hour).


I have this issue since the oil company, despite my written communication, delivered a fresh tank about 2 2 weeks ago and I switch to gas soon. Oh well, I want the space. I would imagine that if they charge $.72 to remove the oil (diesel gas) that they will be able to reuse it in another house somewhere.


Maybe the day before the furnace is switch out I will put the heat up and burn up all the oil.

Give it to someone. Get a proper 5 gallon can and drain into it. Lots of people would take it.

I reached out to Apollo Oil and they can do a basement tank. Give them a call!

(973) 669-2828

FilmCarp said:

Give it to someone. Get a proper 5 gallon can and drain into it. Lots of people would take it.
I doubt anyone would want it after over five years in a 75% empty tank. Bound to have water, etc. contaminating it at this point.


I thought they wrote that they just had a fresh delivery.

whatever you do don't have it removed on a day when it is raining out...unfortuntely ours was done on a rainy day and the muddy mess was horrible.

Fudges_mom said:

whatever you do don't have it removed on a day when it is raining out...unfortuntely ours was done on a rainy day and the muddy mess was horrible.
That's hard to predict in planning. Our was scheduled a few weeks in advance... you need permits, etc. I assume most places work in all weather.

composerjohn said:

sac said:

Are the same companies recommended for removal of tanks in basements (vs underground)? We've been putting off that task for years, but really should take care of it. Unfortunately, there is still some oil in the tank and I expect we will pay almost as much to get it removed and properly disposed of as to remove the tank itself.

ALL Environmental charged $.72 per gallon to remove oil/water, plus the "vac" truck ($125 per hour).


When our oil company delivered after we explicitly told them not to ahead of our tank removal, they took the old oil back from the tank when it was removed and then gave us a credit toward the new oil in the new indoor tank, so it worked out in the end.

FilmCarp said:

I thought they wrote that they just had a fresh delivery.
I was talking about mine. Sorry ... I see that other post now.


All Environmental was covered by Proguard. They did a great job. Made a difficult process easy. JW Pierson took our old oil back and credited it toward new oil. Tank was a leaker. $40k job that thankfully Proguard covered. All Environmental coordinated timing of all permits, inspector. Anna is great.

Reviving this thread.  Starting the process of Pro-Guard Oil tank (in-ground) Protection Program, etc.  Must first have tank tested.  Has anyone used any of the three recommended testing companies?  What is the ballpark cost for this testing?  TIA.

Eco-Logic

Accurate Tank Testing

Advanced Tank Services (ATS)


we're living the dream right now... $5700 to remove an oil tank with a rust hole! Our underground tank was drained and filled with sand 20+ years ago but our new home insurance required removal so we had ours removed last week and paid $1300. They found a few rust holes in the bottom so our "state certified contractor" notified NJDEP and took a soil and it tested clean! Done right? Not exactly, we just got their new estimate for an additional $4400 to get the crew back out to re-excavate and take 6 samples by one of their licensed staff so they can close our case with NJDEP. I just called our contractors to explain it to me: they were saving us money by not having a "scientist" there to take the DEP required samples. their crew didn't think the sample would pass even though the guy told me he was confident it would.

Anyone else have to get these additional DEP samples, how much did it cost you?


It probably goes without saying, but definitely, absolutely, take the day off and sit outside as they excavate and remove the tank. Take photos of the progress, take photos of the hole.



Why would you pay someone to take the oil from the tank when there are people who will pay you to take the oil from the tank?


That's a huge red flag. $1300 to remove and now $4400 to re-excavate?

Get a second opinion asap or talk to the Town or a lawyer.

sasquatch2 said:
we're living the dream right now... $5700 to remove an oil tank with a rust hole! Our underground tank was drained and filled with sand 20+ years ago but our new home insurance required removal so we had ours removed last week and paid $1300. They found a few rust holes in the bottom so our "state certified contractor" notified NJDEP and took a soil and it tested clean! Done right? Not exactly, we just got their new estimate for an additional $4400 to get the crew back out to re-excavate and take 6 samples by one of their licensed staff so they can close our case with NJDEP. I just called our contractors to explain it to me: they were saving us money by not having a "scientist" there to take the DEP required samples. their crew didn't think the sample would pass even though the guy told me he was confident it would.
Anyone else have to get these additional DEP samples, how much did it cost you?




sasquatch2, Your experience sounds odd. Are you in Maplewood? Call Bob Mittermaier, the township's construction official (973) 762-8120 ext. 3700 and 3800) and see what he says.

Do you have any official notice from the state DEP that additional soil samples need to be taken?

I have no experience with the removal of a decommissioned oil tank, but when they pulled our tank (thankfully it was in one piece) the contractor could not fill in the hole in the ground until Bob inspected the tank. It seems to me that whenever their is any possibility of a leak, the hole remains open until it is decided whether or not remediation is necessary. And, by the way, when our tank was pulled a "scientist' was there observing every stage of the pull.

Edited to add: Good luck. If in the worst case scenario you do need remediation, your previous homeowners' insurance (and those before) may be on the hook for some of the cost.


A reminder that it could always be worse. Our oil tank remediation cost $579K. Yes, five hundred seventy nine thousand. Proguard and Homeowners paid. Homeowners sued insurance company of a previous owner who sold the house to us 18 years ago. Imagine getting that phone call...


That smells very funny to me, Sasquatch2. I'd get a second opinion pronto.

LisaT, that phone call would be an instant heart attack.


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