A tank at Tahoe Tom’s in South Lake Tahoe failed a recent inspection. Photo/LTN

Crews are working at Tahoe Tom’s gas station in South Lake Tahoe to determine if a tank that failed a recent test is leaking fuel.

The station has been a source of contaminated groundwater dating to at least 1991.

Still to be determined is if the tank can be repaired or needs replacing.

“Since the excavation is occurring and a lot of earth is being exposed that was previously under a tank or under pavement, there is an opportunity for additional soil testing and potential removal of contaminated soil from past spills below the underground tanks and the gas station,” Lauri Kemper, assistant executive officer of Lahontan Regional Water Control Board, told Lake Tahoe News. “Source removal can expedite the overall groundwater cleanup occurring at the site.”

The water board is the lead agency for the soil and groundwater cleanup, while the El Dorado County Environmental Health Department is handling the failed tank test. No one from the county responded to Lake Tahoe News.

It has not been determined if the failed test has further impacted the soil and/or groundwater.
It is not known when the station will be able to sell fuel again.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report