We use GPR to find underground tanks that need to be removed or investigated, and to work out their depth and extent.
When tanks turn up
Old underground tanks are common on former service station sites, at older homes that once ran oil heating, and on industrial and farm land. They often show up during a property purchase, before demolition, or when a site is being redeveloped.
What we do
We scan the area with ground penetrating radar to locate the tank and outline its position, depth and extent. We record the result in a report you can hand to the contractors who’ll remove or assess it.
What we don’t do
We don’t remove tanks or test for contamination. That’s done by licensed contractors. EPA Victoria publishes guidance on managing underground petroleum storage systems, and your contractor will work to it.
Common questions.
Do you remove tanks?
No. We locate and outline underground tanks. Removal and any contamination testing are done by licensed contractors, and our report gives them what they need to plan the job.
Can you tell the size and depth of a tank?
Yes. Using GPR we can locate an underground tank and work out its depth and extent, which helps you plan removal or further investigation.
Do I need a locator if I already have BYDA plans?
Usually, yes. Before You Dig Australia (BYDA) plans show roughly where each asset owner thinks their services run, and they stop at your property boundary. A locator finds where the services actually are on the day, including private services such as power to a shed or a water line to a tank, which never appear on BYDA plans.
What does service locating cost?
It depends on the size of the site, how many services there are, the method needed (EM locating, GPR or both), the type of report and travel time. Call us with the address and the scope of your works and we'll give you a price.
How long does a locate take?
A typical residential locate takes one to two hours on site. Larger commercial or civil sites can take a day or more. We'll give you an idea of timing when you call.
What do the paint colours mean?
We mark services in the standard Australian colours from AS 5488: orange for electricity, yellow for gas, blue for water, green for storm water, brown for sewer, red for fire services, purple for recycled water, white for communications, and pink for a service we've found but can't identify. Depths are written beside the marks.
Related services.
Underground Tank Detection across Victoria.
