The New Duncan Hospital and Buried Oil Tanks

Upon ground breaking for the new Duncan Hospital owned by the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA), a huge buried oil tank (UST) was discovered.

The construction started with a huge surprise - a 22,000 liter buried oil tank! Not only homeowners are saddled with this risk of sleeping time bombs. Governments are also struggling with undocumented buried oil tanks and are required to deal with them in the same ways.

Excavation for the new Duncan Hospital started with excitement from the government, contractors and the public but the discovery of an underground oil tank slammed on the brakes as quickly as a heart condition. This buried oil tank had been used many years earlier and because it was out of sight, it really was out of both mind and memory. Nonetheless, construction had to stop. Pacific Group Developments Inc. was called to deal with the unexpected buried oil tank. We had to empty and clean out the oil tank before it could be safely lifted out and transported to a facility for safe disposal.

The tank contents had to be taken to a provincially regulated facility with trucking manifests filed prior to leaving the site of the new Duncan Hospital.

After the oil tanks contents were safely removed, soil testing was performed to confirm that no leaking had occurred, and a full report outlining the procedures and findings was prepared and filed. This documentation process has all been completed and corresponds with the permits at City Hall.

Buried oil tanks have really become a forefront consideration when it comes to development and real estate transactions. Fortunately, this one ended well and was quickly addressed.

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Pacific Group Developments Reviews

Pacific Group Developments saved a real estate sale for us by removing a large amount of oil contaminated soil in a very timely manner. It was caused by a buried oil tank which had leaked at our house in Victoria. We encountered some problems along the way, (the house foundation needed to be supported during excavation) but Kelsey was quick to solve them. His crew were great bunch of guys, all work was above and beyond our expectations and I highly recommend them.

Thanks Again

Alan Hill, Victoria BC

Thanks for the great job done on finishing the concrete floor!

Peter Waterman

We deeply appreciate the outstanding work of Pacific Group Developments around our home. They did many different projects including removing and reinstating new concrete driveways, concrete patios, concrete approach, concrete entrance way, landscape work including new sod and tie ins etc. They left our yard cleaner than when they arrived.The whole crew was polite, hard working and were most helpful, carefully listening and responding to our requirements. They made great suggestions to improve the end result and were a pleasure to work with. We have no hesitation in highly recommending this company.

Rev. David Lovewell and Patricia Lovewell

I called various excavating companies for quotes and got confidence in Pacific Group Developments that my landscaping project would get done in a timely and thorough way so I picked them. The same day, Kelsey came and gave me a quote that evening.

The crew started and finished my job quickly, working through a statutory holiday and a weekend to get it done on time. I had a design and they have the experience to see that a great deal of work was done quickly.

I ended up doing more work while they were here than I imagined so it was pretty stressful watching the work unfold.

In the end - although the quote wasn't the cheapest - I am relieved that I hired Kelsey and his crew because very few other crews would have had the professionalism, patience, and commitment to my project that they did. Jordan, Joe, Mike and Kelsey worked to ensure that my vision was met, beyond what I thought was needed or expected. I would highly recommend Pacific Group Developments for any landscaping projects.

Ramona Scott, Victoria BC

The Pacific Group Developments team were very professional and timely when it came to removal of a below ground oil tank and soil contamination in my back yard. They were literally at my door within an hour of me contacting them when they heard that I was in the process of selling my house and had discovered a buried oil tank that needed removal. One of their competitors did not even return my phone call until 3 days after Pacific Group Developments had already started the process. Kelsey kept me informed as to how the process worked as the necessary government paperwork was filed through the necessary agencies. Kelsey and his crew expedited this so that from start to finish it was little over a week. I would whole-heartedly recommend Pacific Group Developments for any of your needs.

Steve Simpson