2 Fuel Tanks Dug Up After Tests

An investigation into possible gasoline contamination of soil and water led to the excavation and removal of two vintage storage tanks Wednesday.

The fumes from the tanks, filled with roughly 500 gallons of gasoline, and surrounding soil were intense enough for workers to wear masks during much of the removal project, which began Tuesday.

The tanks, dating back to the 1920s and used until the late 1960s, were under the parking lot of Junior Liquor Market at Pacific Coast Highway and Seal Beach Boulevard.

Mario Musso, owner of the adjacent Shore Village property, was alerted to a possible contamination problem in April 1999, when he had soil samples taken on his property. The samples revealed high levels of hydrocarbons.

Shortly after the discovery, Musso notified the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. Board officials advised Musso that the tanks would have to be removed from the property next to his.

Musso and his brother-in-law Les Nederveld discovered that the corner property was a gas station dating back to 1927. In 1964, the station was run by Flying A and then purchased by Mobil Oil, Nederveld said.

The next step is to test the soil removed in the excavation and then drill ground-water monitoring wells at several locations on the property. One well is planned for inside the liquor store and another inside Norm’s Bait and Tackle next door.

Alex Murashko can be reached at (714) 966-5974.