Soil contaminated around former Exxon station [Star-News, Wilmington, N.C.]

Aug. 13--Minor soil contamination has been discovered on the grounds of a former Exxon gas station in Wilmington, but officials with the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources say the pollution poses no threat to area residents.

A leak in the submerged pump on one of the underground storage tanks at the former Oleander Exxon station, 3205 Oleander Drive, was discovered on Feb. 22, 2008, according to state documents.

All three 12,000-gallon underground storage tanks were removed in March of this year after the station closed, along with a 1,000-gallon fuel oil tank and a 1,000-gallon used oil tank. At that time, no holes or obvious corrosion were found in any of the tanks.

During the removal, "petroleum-impacted soil was discovered as the base of the gasoline tank," the documents state. That soil -- a total of 34 tons -- was removed from the base of the tank and transported for treatment and disposal in Autryville, N.C.

Because the area -- including the adjacent Independence Mall -- contains mostly commercial development and residents near the site use public water, the contaminated soil poses little risk, officials said.

A Starbucks has submitted plans to the city to move into the property at the busy corner of Oleander and Independence Boulevard, but no time frame has been identified.

Kate Queram: 343-2217

On Twitter: @kate_goes_bleu

___

(c)2012 the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.)

Visit the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) at www.starnewsonline.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services