Blackford County Opens Bidding on $375,000 Underground Fuel Tank Replacement

From the Blackford County Council meeting on June 3, 2026

Blackford County will open bidding next week to replace two aging underground fuel storage tanks at the county highway facility, the Highway Superintendent told the County Council on Tuesday.

The two 10,000-gallon fiberglass tanks are 36 years old, installed in late 1990 or early 1991. They are not leaking but are past their expected lifespan and cannot be insured. Staff monitor them nightly, with monthly inspections by Gasoline Equipment, yearly pressure tests, and deep inspections every three years.

The replacement plan calls for a single 12,000-gallon above-ground, double-wall dual tank — split between 8,000 gallons of diesel and 4,000 gallons of gasoline — equipped with sensors and protected by a cement barrier. The manufacturer currently has a three- to four-month backlog on new tanks.

The original quote came in at approximately $374,000. The Indiana Department of Environmental Management will reimburse half the decommissioning cost, which covers removal of the underground tanks, filling the hole, soil testing, and concrete removal. The county's net cost is expected to fall between $250,000 and $300,000 depending on bids. The council discussed using the county's $1.4 million rainy day fund to cover the expense. Council members also discussed adding a card reader to the fueling station so the sheriff's department could use it, potentially reducing fuel costs county-wide.

Source: Meeting transcript — Blackford County - County Council Meeting - June 03, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.