CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Most underground storage tanks that once held hundreds or even thousands of gallons of gasoline or other fuel are buried beneath old and abandoned gas stations.
There are thousands of them in North Carolina, many alongside busy streets and near homes and neighborhoods.
Most are in good condition but state records showed that inspectors have found serious problems with hundreds of the underground tanks over the last three years, leading to thousands of dollars in fines against owners of the tanks.
"If there's a release from the tank system it could contaminate their drinking water. It could enter storm drains," said Michael Phelps, who oversees inspection of the underground tanks for the state's Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Phelps' inspection teams have found dozens of faulty tanks around the Charlotte area since 2012 and seven in Charlotte.
The owner of a gas station on Wilkinson Boulevard that was fined twice -- first in 2012 for failing to implement a corrective action plan after gasoline leaked out of an underground tank.
Then in 2013, inspectors found 26 violations there including failure to investigate suspected releases of gasoline.
Records showed the owner did hire a contractor to fix the pumps but he still hasn't cleaned up the area around the gas leak.
That owner said on the phone he's had trouble finding a contractor who can do the job.
Many people who may live or work near those faulty tanks have no idea they are there -- or that they have been defective.
"No, I had no idea whatsoever," said Keisha Smith who lives near a vacant gas station on LaSalle Street in Charlotte where inspectors had fined the previous owner for failing to secure three tanks that had been closed down.
"I stay right behind this store and my kids are out playing all the time so that's a major concern with me," Smith said.