Dollar General underground storage tank removal took some coordination

    Many longtime residents of Imperial will remember a Wheeler’s store in Imperial at 610 East 5th Street, where Dollar General now is located.
    A pair of underground storage tanks, or USTs as they are known, that used to store gasoline for the pumps at the former farm supply store were removed from the property in a three-day effort last week.
    The project drew a few onlookers, as well as some state officials, as one 10,000-gallon tank was crane-lifted out, followed by a second, 8,000 gallon tank.
    Nick Schultz, owner of Schultz Construction who coordinated the project, said it took coordination, oversight from state officials and a lot of subcontractors to get the job done.
    Sam Murante of Omaha, whose business Property Ventures LLC owns the property and leases it to Dollar General, contacted Schultz months ago about the project. Initially, the above-ground inactive gas pumps were removed and the lines capped.
    The project was coordinated with the State Fire Marshal’s Office and a state-certified geologist/engineer who assists at removal of USTs. Dustin Sullivan, a Deputy State Fire Marshal in the fuels safety division, and Jon Gross, president of RDG Geoscience & Engineering Inc. of Omaha, were on site for the removal last week to provide the state oversight.
    It also took a lot of subcontractors for excavating, supplying gravel, backfilling and operating the crane, according to Schultz.
    Weeks ago, a test of the estimated 200 gallons of liquid still in the tanks was done. About 75% of that was water, the rest gasoline, he said. The liquid was removed by a specialized pumper the day before the USTs were lifted out, and transported off to an approved disposal site.
    After the USTs were out, soil samples were then taken, and the backfill began immediately.
    In their preliminary examination, both Sullivan and Gross believe there will not be soil contamination issues, Schultz said. Samples were sent off to a lab.
    A physical examination of the tanks was also conducted before they were taken away.
    Several hundred pounds of dry ice were placed inside the USTs to dissipate the oxygen before lifting out the tanks. That assured there would be no explosive fumes should sparks occur as the tanks were removed, he said.
    One of the challenges they ran into was one of the tanks’ lift rings was gone, leaving just one available for the lifting straps. Two were needed.
    Schultz said it took some innovative effort from crane operator Corey Holmes to secure a second place to attach the straps.
    Weather was also a concern May 26. Schultz’s fire pager received an update from the National Weather Service that the tornado “watch” issued earlier had been upgraded to a “warning.” Work was able to continue  as the radar was monitored.
    Eventually, the parking lot area where the tanks were removed will be paved over with concrete.
    Sullivan of the State Fire Marshal’s Office said Nebraska still has a lot of large storage tanks still underground.