Dorson Environmental Management

Dorson has been a specialist in tank management and assessment for over thirty five years. Dorson is fully trained and qualified in underground storage tank testing and has been primarily involved in the assessment of underground oil tank spills to soil and groundwater. We can provide proper permitting, testing and results typically within a few days of your request. In the homeowner area, we provide underground storage tank assessments to check for possible leaks, as cleanups can be expensive. When leaks are detected early the cost of cleanup can be reduced.

We are fully outfitted with Geoprobe® sampling equipment for environmental assessments. Our experienced certified subsurface evaluators collect soil and groundwater data in the tank area to evaluate the site conditions. In addition, other significant data is recorded which may aid the determination of tank condition. Data such as soil types, groundwater level, tank age, piping condition, basement odors or wall staining, and if available, sump pit water condition are all taken into consideration.

We utilize several methods to assess tank integrity, most commonly we employ out soil assessment technique. Soil samples are collected from below the tank bottom utilizing a variety of boring tools. Simply stated, four boreholes are placed around the tank and soil samples are extracted. Dorson is equipped with field screening instrumentation for real time analysis. The samples are inspected for discoloration, texture change, and odor which is characteristic of soils in contact with oil. Often times releases from underground or above ground tanks require additional assessment in order to properly quantify the condition. All samples are containerized and brought back to our office for screening with a photoionization detector at room temperature, and further examination.

Our objective is to make the obvious assessment when the evidence is apparent. It is our professional opinion that the physical inspection of soils by qualified technicians will identify 95% of what may be described best as tanks wherein “enhanced risk” is suspected. The analysis of soils by laboratories in these cases provides data, at increased expense, which is not normally necessary. Where our field observations and instrumentation screenings give inconsistent results, Dorson may employ the use of turbimetric development methods such as PetroFLAG® analysis.

Our trucks are fully outfitted with sample collection equipment and field analytical instrumentation, turbimetric development method kits, and proper safety apparatus. Our technicians are fully trained as subsurface evaluators and have appropriate OSHA training as well. Some are environmental scientists, some geoscientists, but all are degreed science majors familiar with soil typing. Dorson is certified with OSHA and with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) for this type of work.

Some facts you should know about this testing:

Dorson will take necessary steps to identify subsurface utilities at boring site.
Dorson will make all necessary arrangements with the homeowner.
Soil borings do not damage lawn areas, being just 1.5” in diameter
Soil borings are placed away from the tank and therefore do not harm the tank.
The entire process takes approximately two hours, no access to the house is typically required, and therefore the homeowner does not need to be present
All test results are confidential

Dorson presently operates several tank assessment units throughout the Northeast and stands ready. Turnaround time from call to results is typically two – three days; however, more rapid requests can also be accommodated if required.