Storage tanks leaks or spills

Check for leaks or spills around your storage tanks

THE DANGER OF LEAKING STORAGE TANKS

Spills and accidental releases of liquid chemicals or liquid fuels from above or below ground storage tanks can readily enter drinking water supplies where there is no, or minimal, geologic protection. The contamination of drinking water by these chemicals or fuels presents a significant risk to public health. A leaking storage tank can be identified through regularly inspecting and monitoring your storage tank.

 

HOW TO DETECT A STORAGE TANK LEAK

There are various warning signals that can indicate that your underground storage tank may be leaking and creating problems for the environment and your business. You can minimize these problems by paying careful attention to warning signals and detecting the leak early. You should suspect a leak when you discover any of the following warning signals:

• You can smell escaped product or see anything like an oily sheen on water.

• Your neighbors complain of vapors in their basements or about water that tastes or smells like petroleum.

• Someone reports unusual operating conditions at your facility, such as erratic behavior of the dispensing pump.

• You receive results from leak detection monitoring and testing that indicate a leak.

 

HOW DO I REPORT A LEAK?

If a leak from an underground storage tank system is suspected, the owner or operator must report the leak to the state or local implementing agency within 24 hours, or another reasonable time period specified b y the implementing agency. Steps should also be taken immediately to stop the release and ensure that there is no threat to the safety of persons in the vicinity of the release.