22 NOVEMBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Investigation After Leak Discovered at School Compiled by Editorial Staff, WorldWide Drilling Resource® Spring Farms Elementary school in Three Springs, Pennsylvania, was vacated in January after a heating oil leak was discovered. Excavation of the 7600-gallon fiberglass tank revealed a crack about a foot long in the end of the tank near the bottom. Initial water well tests for the school and closest residence did not indicate any petroleum products. The Southern Huntingdon County School District is working closely with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine next steps. Three tri-axle loads of contaminated soil were removed from the area including and surrounding the tank location. White absorbent pads were placed in the bottom of the hole. The pads turn pink as heating oil is absorbed, with each able to hold one gallon. Only a few of the pads turned a light pink color. This was overwhelming evidence the oil was absorbed into the soil and geologic structure beneath the tank, then moved farther. By the middle of February, 20 wells within a 2500-foot radius of the school were tested and no fuel oil was detected. A stream crossing the property also showed no pollution. However, 14 core samples were taken and Soil Boring #8 had petroleum odors at 19 feet, confirming contamination. As a result, the DEP mandated six monitoring wells be drilled. Well #4 was drilled to a depth of 45 feet with levels of volatiles at 39-40 feet, but nothing approaching DEP standard. No visual evidence of petroleum was observed. Well #6 was drilled to a depth of 31 feet with a water level of 26 feet. The water did have a petroleum sheen along with a strong fuel odor, but did not reach the cleanup threshold. Further action calls for an assessment consisting of a karst-focused desk study, site reconnaissance, and preliminary geophysical investigation on the area around the school to determine where the heating oil may have seeped. Contaminated Monitoring Well #6 is close to the school’s drinking water well. Photo courtesy of Southern Huntingdon County School District. G&O
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