Tank demolition completed at former Norwalk tank farm

By Jerry Bernstein
Contibution by
Mary Jane McIntosh

Demolition of the above ground tanks at the former fuel storage site owned by the Air Force started in December 2010 ws recently completed. The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers oversaw the contracting and demolition of the twelve large steel tanks and two smaller tanks. The Corps of Engineers notified the surrounding residents and school prior to the start of demolition activities. Water trucks were used to spray work areas to control dust and air monitoring was also conducted to ensure that there were no air quality risks to workers or residents.
The Norwalk Tank Farm was constructed in the 1920s by private oil companies before being purchased by the Air Force in the 1950s. It was used to store jet fuel, which was distributed to military installations in western United States. The military ended fuel operations at the site in 2001. Environmental cleanup operations began in 1995 and are continuing on the site.
Mary Jane McIntosh, Co-Chair of the Tank Farm Restoration Advisory Board remarked, “This has been a win-win for the community. Removal of the tanks will help further the cleanup efforts and will be beneficial in the eventual development of the site.” Removal of the concrete pads that were underneath several tanks is scheduled to begin in March 2011. The tank farm, formally known as the Norwalk Defense Fuel Supply Point, is located on the corner of Norwalk Boulevard and Excelsior Drive.
The Tank Farm goes back to the 1920’s. Since then a school, park and several residential areas have been built around it. Sitting on 58 acres, it has been a city concern since the late 1980’s when contamination of the soil and groundwater were found. Since then the city and representatives in Congress have been calling on the Defense Department to find alternatives to the Tank Farm. In 1999, 800 gallons of fuel seeped into the soil after leaking from rusty pipes.
The closing of the Tank Farm has been described as a milestone for the city and a victory for the city council. City officials praised Congresswoman Grace Napolitano who they said has worked diligently with the city in its efforts not only to close the site but have it cleaned up.