If heating contamination occurs but groundwater is not affected, what option does the property owner have?

When heating oil contamination occurs on a property but groundwater remains unaffected, the appropriate action for a property owner is to conduct a Soil Matrix Cleanup. This process involves assessing the extent and nature of the contamination within the soil and implementing remediation measures to restore the land to a safe and acceptable condition.

Conducting a Soil Matrix Cleanup is essential because it addresses the source of the contamination and helps prevent potential migration to groundwater in the future. It may include techniques such as excavation, bioremediation, or soil vapor extraction, depending on the severity and type of contaminants present. This option not only mitigates the immediate environmental threat but also secures the property against future liability issues related to soil contamination.

Other options such as relocating the tank or selling the property may not effectively resolve the underlying contamination problem. Installing a filtration system could address immediate concerns if contamination were affecting water supply, but since groundwater isn't impacted in this scenario, it would not be a viable solution. Therefore, the Soil Matrix Cleanup is the most appropriate and proactive choice for managing soil contamination while safeguarding the property for future use.