Living with Woodstocks Black Bears
Oil and Water should never mix...
Is it time for a fuel tank fix?
It is the stealth enemy of clean water. Fuel oil silently leaking from storage tanks will permeate the
surrounding area and eventually work its way into the water supply. Not only will it seriously degrade the water, it will threaten your health. This is not a unique scenario, but an all-toocommon
occurrence, which can put you and your loved ones at risk. Can this affect you? Should you be concerned? What, if anything, can you do about it? The following questions and answers should
help you to draw your own conclusions and make the right decisions. Why should I be concerned about my fuel oil tank?Tanks age and become corroded.
Like all equipment, fuel storage tanks have a limited life. Sooner or later every one will fail. Replacement is
necessary before failure occurs. Leaking fuel is a serious public health hazard.
Did you know that leaking fuel tanks are the single greatest threat to underground water quality in the entire country? A 200-gallon spill can originate from a leak the size of a pinhole.
Water supplies are vulnerable to contamination.
Woodstock's underground water resources are vast and varied. A leaking fuel tank could contaminate your
private well, your neighborhood, or the entire municipal system. Clean up is expensive. 
When a fuel tank or its fittings leak, cleanup costs are the responsibility of the homeowner. Most homeowner insurance policies will not cover problems
resulting from a fuel spill. Repairing the damage, which would include the removal of contaminated soil, could cost many thousands of dollars.
Property value and real estate transfers can adversely be affected.
Banks may choose not to lend money to an owner or purchaser of property
affected by an oil spill. Contamination can dramatically decrease the value of your real estate. Enjoying life in the Catskills brings with it certain responsibilities.
All who call the Catskill region their home are blessed to live in one of the most beautiful areas in New York State. By paying attention to your oil tank you are playing your part as a good Catskill steward.
When is the right time to replace my oil storage tank? Oil tanks should be replaced before they begin to leak!
As obvious as it sounds, you should not wait for your oil tank to fail! Your tank will begin to leak eventually.
Underground tanks are most at risk and should be assessed within 10 years of burial.
The usual life expectancy of a buried steel oil tank is 10 to 15 years. The life span of these tanks is affected by
the thickness and type of materials used, the quality of the installation and the soil type in which they are buried.
Above ground tanks can last from 20 to 40 years when correctly installed. When placed indoors they may last even longer.
How will I know if my tank is leaking or is near the end of its useful life? You may not. If your tank is leaking, it is very possible you won't know it. An unexplained increase in fuel consumption can be an indication.
No early warning signs. Fuel tanks generally corrode from the inside out so there will not necessarily be any visual evidence of an impending leak.
Soil speeds corrosion. Steel tanks corrode much more quickly when they are unprotected and buried, than when situated above ground or specially protected
before burying. Buried tanks can corrode and leak without obvious signs on the surface. In some cases, you may be able to identify a leaking oil tank.
See the box on the next page for details.
Talk to the experts.
Most oil companies will be pleased to evaluate your tank at no cost to you. What are my legal responsibilities in the
event of a leak or spill? Potentially enormous.
Once a tank fails, it can be a homeowner's worst nightmare. Not only is the owner ofthe tank liable for cleanup costs, but also because of the "absolute
pollution exclusion" clause in virtually all policies, their insurance company will not cover them. If a spill occurs through the negligence of another party, they may be compelled to pay all or part of the costs.
How can I best avoid this possibility? Replace your oil tank before the end of its expected life span.
Remember, the life expectancy of a buried oil tank is no more than 10 to 15 years. Timely replacement now will
avoid the cost of cleaning up a spill later. Many oil companies will spread the cost of removing and replacing your tank over several years at no interest. Ask your service provider.
If you suspect you may have a leak, don't panic!
Get help right away. If you find contamination or even a sign that there has been a leak, call your service
provider immediately. They have the expertise to deal quickly with the situation. You can also contact the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Spill Incident Hotline anytime, at (800) 457-7362. They will
guide and assist you. Take your responsibility seriously.
In New York State, failure to report or clean up a petroleum spill can be subject to heavy penalties, sometimes for every day that the spill is not cleaned up.
Can I just empty my old tank and leave it in the ground? When in doubt, take it out. The best choice is to remove the tank. There are however, correct
abandonment procedures that can be undertaken by certified professionals. Your oil supplier can provide details. Is the Town requiring me to take action?
No.
If you store a total of less than 1,100 gallons of fuel oil on your property, your tank or tanks are not regulated. But as a homeowner, you are responsible for keeping your oil tank and related fixtures well maintained
and free of leaks.
What can I do to protect my aboveground tank?
Place your oil tank on a stable foundation and anchor it.
A poured concrete base for example, will prevent your outdoor tank from
buckling or tipping due to frost heaving, soft ground or flooding. Check your fuel lines.
Fuel lines from your tank to your furnace are the most common sources of
leaks. Frost, vehicle traffic and corrosion can cause damage. Fuel lines buried in a basement floor can corrode from contact with the surrounding concrete.
Keep pipe connections and fittings clean and tight.
Poor maintenance of tank, pipes and fill port as well as badly fitted connections can cause leaks. Provide additional containment.
Consider placing the tank within a fuel-resistant storage bin. Let it breathe. Clear ice, snow, leaves and debris from around the tank, allowing it to properly breathe.
Make sure that the vent alarm is working.
All indoor tanks must be fitted with a vent alarm that alerts the oil
delivery driver when the correct fill level is reached.
You can ask your driver to verify if yours is operating properly. Tips for identifying an oil leak.
Quite often a leaking oil tank will show no signs of a problem. In many cases however, one or more of the following clues are a good indication that immediate attention is required.
- Excessive water in the tank (this is often accompanied by knocking sounds in the pipes).
- Dead vegetation around the tank area or fill port.
- Oil odor in the home, crawl space or basement.
- Oily stains around the fill port, vent lines or tank.
- Signs of oil in the sump pump or floor drains.
- Small amounts of oil leaking from fittings, valves, filters, piping or tank gauge.
- In the case of an above ground tank, also check for surface rust, wet spots and dents.
If any of these conditions are present, you should contact your oil service supplier for a more thorough inspection. They will advise you on your best course of action. Do you suspect that you may have an oil leak, or that the condition of your tank is marginal? If so, call your service provider now and find out what your options are. |
