City of Fort Wayne, Indiana

SES Environmental was awarded a contract by the City of Fort Wayne to serve as the designated consultant/engineer for municipal underground storage tank issues. The city owned and operated 43 underground storage tanks at 21 municipal sites. The sites included fire stations, utility facilities, and several abandoned properties.

SES Environmental initiated work by conducting a compliance audit to determine the regulatory status of each tank. This work was followed by a preliminary investigation to determine environmental conditions at each tank area. Information from this work indicated most sites were impacted by petroleum fuel compounds; however, the impact extent was generally confined to surrounding soil. Shallow groundwater impact was only present at three tank sites.

SES Environmental worked closely with various city department supervisors to prepare specifications and a bidding package for tank removals. During the removal process, SES documented site activities and performed closure assessments in accordance with regulatory guidance.

SES Environmental utilized the preliminary investigation data to design a corrective action plan for addressing petroleum impacted soil at each site. The plan specified the construction of four centrally-located treatment cells to receive contaminated soil from each tank area. The treatment cells were constructed using membrane liners, and a leachate collection system. Approximately 2,500 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil were treated. The centralized treatment cell plan allowed for attaining immediate clean closure at 18 of the 21 tank sites, and also avoided the cost and liability of landfill disposal.

After removing the tanks, and implementing corrective actions, SES processed and secured cost reimbursement for environmental expenditures through the Indiana Excess Liability Trust Fund.

Community School System

SES Environmental provided the Fort Wayne Community School System with engineering design services required to meet the 1998 UST upgrade requirements. In order to comply with these requirements, the school system was required to close tanks, upgrade piping, and install new tanks.

Project work was initiated by conducting a compliance audit to determine the specific measures to be implemented at each tank site. SES then prepared project work specifications, material specifications, and construction drawings for each tank upgrade site. Upon receiving approval from FWCS to proceed with the project, SES Environmental prepared all necessary bidding documents, reviewed bids, and provided engineering oversight during construction. The project was successfully completed, and in compliance with the 1998 tank upgrade deadline.