Clean up


Gabor Matrai gmatrai@co.volusia.fl.us	(386) 736-5927, ext. 2274 (DeLand)

More than 90% of the water that Floridians drink is groundwater from the Floridan Aquifer. Groundwater also supplies most of the surface flow in streams and maintains wetland and lake levels. One gallon of gasoline has the potential to contaminate a million gallons of groundwater. Florida possesses high rainfall and a unique geology that makes our groundwater extremely vulnerable to contamination. Over time petroleum storage tanks are exposed to several different elements that can cause them to corrode and leak, which in turn will contaminate our groundwater. The Cleanup Program is under contract with the FDEP Bureau of Petroleum Storage Systems and provides three major services: The administration of the Pre-Approval Program which requires those persons wishing to begin a petroleum cleanup task to obtain approval from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before starting work if they intend to use state funds. Volusia County began administering the preapproval program for our area in 1996. Technical review of geological and engineering documents prepared by private consulting firms to determine if they are sufficiently comprehensive, and in compliance with State rules. Oversight of assessment and cleanup activities at petroleum contaminated (preapproval and non-program/non-funded) sites. The following steps are typical for remediation of a contaminated site: Initial Remedial Action: Stopping the leak, removing and recovering the petroleum product and contaminated soil. Site Assessment: Determining the extent of the problem. Remedial Action: Developing and implementing a plan to eliminate the contamination or monitor the contamination, if appropriate. No Further Action: Determining that contamination levels have decreased below regulatory cleanup levels. Standardized Reports/Information from State FDEP Petroleum Clean up Program