August 3, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Environmental crews are on site at the old Fleet Farm, 1637 W. Washington Street, in West Bend working to remove the underground Fiberglas gas storage tanks from the old Fleet gas station.
There are several elements to the process to unearth the tanks safely and not contaminate the wealth of underground springs and water system.
Dry ice is being poured into the tanks to vent out the oxygen and prevent an explosion. Fifteen pounds of dry ice is needed per 1,000 square feet; about 100 to 150 pounds of dry ice will go into each tank. There are six underground tanks.
About 30,000 gallons of water will be pumped out of the area around the six underground tanks. The tanks are currently be held down by the weight of the concrete along with four feet of fill.
“We want to drop the water level low enough so the construction company can remove the tanks safely and reinstall tanks safely,” said Josh Bartnick with Pioneer Environmental Services.
History photos from July 1981 courtesy John Spartz.
Click HERE for more videos on the demolition of the old Fleet Farm in West Bend.
