If groundwater is encountered during a soil boring or tank excavation, what is required?

When groundwater is encountered during a soil boring or tank excavation, collecting a groundwater sample is an essential requirement. This is crucial for several reasons. First, obtaining a groundwater sample allows for the assessment of potential contaminants that may have leached into the groundwater from the soil or the heating oil tank itself. This analysis provides valuable data that helps in understanding the extent of contamination and aids in formulating a remediation plan if necessary.

Furthermore, collecting a groundwater sample is part of best practices and regulatory compliance in environmental protection. It ensures that any potential risks to public health and environmental quality are properly evaluated and addressed.

In contrast, simply continuing the work without additional action would not adequately ensure safety or compliance with environmental monitoring standards. Notifying local authorities is important but would not suffice alone without the actual sampling to assess the groundwater quality. Hence, the requirement to collect a groundwater sample is a preventive and investigative step to manage and mitigate potential environmental hazards effectively.