Fuel spills and leaks pose a serious threat to human health and environmental quality. One gallon of gasoline can contaminate up to 1 million gallons of water. Cleanup of fuel-contaminated soil and water can be extremely difficult and expensive

Mesner, Nancy

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DigitalCommons@USU

Fuel spills and leaks pose a serious threat to human health andenvironmental quality. One gallon of gasoline can contaminate up to 1million gallons of water. Cleanup of fuel-contaminated soil and water canbe extremely difficult and expensive. It is best to take precautions toensure that spills or leaks do not occur. This fact sheet provides basicguidelines for reducing the potential risk of water contamination fromhandling and storage of fuel such as diesel, gasoline, and home heating oil. For additional information or reading materials, refer to contacts andreferences section at the end of this fact sheet.U t a h  F a r m s t e a d  A s s e s s m e n t  f o r  G r o u n d  W a t e r  a n d  S u r f a c e  W a t e r  P r o t e c t i o n  HOW TO PROTECTYOUR WATER FROM SPILLED FUELFact Sheet 4RevisedMarch 20121FUEL HANDLINGSmall spills during fueling are bound to happen. Although fuelevaporates rapidly at the land surface it also readily seeps into the soil.Local geology and soil type determine how quickly fuel may reachgroundwater supplies or runoff to nearby streams or lakes. Once in thegroundwater, fuel contamination is often  difficult to clean up. Even smallspills or leaks in the same place over time are a potential threat to waterresources. The cumulative results of many small spills over time can leadto big problems. To protect water resources from fuel spills, take care to reduce anypotential leaks and spills during fuel transfers. Always supervise fueltransfers from storage tanks to equipment, replace leaking or defectivenozzles and use a can to catch any dripping that may occur after shuttingoff the fuel nozzle. To meet Utah state fire codes, always post a “NoSmoking” sign and enforce a no smoking rule at the fuel handling andstorage facility. Keep fuel pumps and nozzles secure from children andvandalism, and label each pump or nozzle as to the type of fuel dispensed.I N S I D E :FUEL HANDLING ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS• Recommendations on  Protecting Water• Safety Considerations• Special Considerations UNDERGROUNDSTORAGE TANKS• Regulated Underground  Storage TanksMONITORING • If You Find a Leak• Closing TanksCONTACTS & REFERENCESGLOSSARY2Recommendations on Locating anAST to Protect Ground andSurface WaterLocate fuel tanks as far as reasonably possible fromwells. Generally, you should try to locate a new tankdownslope and at least 250 feet from your well.Avoid areas with porous, corrosive or wet soils orsites that contain abandoned drainage tiles orpreviously disposed waste materials. Also avoiddesignated flood plain areas or areas where the watertable is close to the surface. The tank should not be in contact with bare soil. Alltanks should be be within a secondary containmentsystem with sufficient holding capacity for thecontents of the existing tank (or largest tank formultiple-tank facilities) plus a 10% freeboard.ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS (ASTs)The use of above ground storage tanks (ASTs) is thepreferred choice for storing gasoline, propane,heating oil, and diesel on farmsteads or acreages.Compared to underground tanks, ASTs provide easyaccess and greater opportunity to observe andmonitor tanks for leaks. However, special care mustbe taken with ASTs to  protect them from impact byfarm equipment and personal vehicles. To protectagainst the rare event of an explosion, ASTs need tobe placed as far as possible from livestock facilitiesand human dwellings. Choose a site where farmvehicles can easily maneuver for fueling. TA K E  A C T I O N !• Supervise fuel transfers from storage tanks to equipment.• Replace leaking or defective nozzles.• Install a breakaway and an automatic shutoff on the nozzle of each pump.3Safety Considerations for an ASTUnderground storage tanks should never be reused asaboveground storage tanks. This practice is not onlyillegal, but also dangerous. Your AST must complywith state and local rules for electrical safety and forfire prevention. Check with you local fire departmentfor details on fire code. At a minimum, follow thesesafety recommendations for all ASTs: 1. Keep a fire extinguisher in close proximity.2. Locate ASTs at least 50 feet from any building or combustible storage.3. Label tank contents along with health and physical  hazards.4. Display a “No Smoking” sign.5. Secure against vandalism or tampering.6. If the AST is top-opening only, place tank on a non-combustible surface. 7. If the AST has gravity discharge, equip it with a heat-actuated shut-off valve at the discharge opening, and a self-closing valve at the fuel dispensing hose.8. Use a light colored tank to avoid heating problems9. Enclose wiring in a conduit.10. Above ground piping must be made of steel and coated to prevent corrosion.11. All piping within a dike must be above ground and must extend over, rather than through, the dike wall. Special ConsiderationsIn most cases, the installation of an AST with acapacity of less than 660 gallons does not require apermit. However, the location of an AST may putenvironmentally sensitive waters at risk, and in thesecases special precautions must be taken. Keep thefollowing considerations in mind:• Community water supplies are required by law toprotect an area around their source from potentialcontaminants. If a proposed fuel tank is within acontamination zone for a community water supply,the Utah Division of Drinking Water has specificregulations for the construction of the tank. To findout if these regulations apply to you, contact theDivision of Drinking Water. • Tanks placed in environmentally sensitive areas,such as flood plains or areas with a shallow watertable, may be subject to local rules and require spe-cial installation. For example, a double walled tankmay be necessary in these situations because it pro-vides greater protection than other tank designs.Contact the Utah Division of EnvironmentalResponse and Remediation (DERR) for more information about placing tanks in these areas.TA K E  A C T I O N !Write a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure(SPCC) plan. It should be approved and certified by aregistered professional engineer. The plan needs to beupdated every three years. Check with your local firedepartment for details.UNDERGROUNDSTORAGE TANKS (USTs)Underground storage tanks are no longer thepreferred means of storing fuel on your farmstead oracreage. Anyone who has a UST should take specialcare that the tanks are in good condition and are notleaking. A primary factor in leaking tanks is age andtype. Steel tanks need special corrosion protectionprior to installation. Older tanks made of unprotectedsteel are subject to corrosion that weakens the tankwalls and seams, eventually creating a leak. If youhave a steel UST that is more than 15 years old,consider replacing the tank with a new undergroundstorage tank or an aboveground storage tank.Federal and state environmental regulations do notapply to farm or residential tanks which hold 1,100gallons or less of motor fuel, are not used forcommercial purposes, or for tanks storing heating oilto be used on the premises. Even if your undergroundstorage tank is not covered by environmental        reg-ulations, you should take the  precautions to     pre-vent contamination of water resources. Make sure thatthe tank meets new tank standards. Avoid   locatingthe tank near a water supply, where there is standingwater, or where the water table is close to the surfaceat any time of the year. Consider installing a spill andoverfill protection (such as a catch basin to collectspills when the tank is filled) and an automatic shut-off or buzzer. Utah’s Division of EnvironmentalRemediation and Response (DERR) can providemore details. Also,  you must comply with fire code        regulations for all USTs. Contact your local firedepartment for more information.Regulated UndergroundStorage Tanks   All USTs with a capacity greater than 1,100 gallons(in single or multiple-tank arrangements) are coveredby state and federal environmental regulations. These tanks must be registered with DERR, bemonitored for leaks at least monthly with aDERR-approved leak detection method, and complywith approved corrosion protection requirements fortanks and piping. USTs also require a minimum setof basic requirements for spill and tank overfillprevention.4TA K E  A C T I O N !Check tanks regularly for leaks and keep goodrecords about locations, age and constructionof any tanks on your property.Testing for Leaks in Tanks With a Capacity of 1,100 Gallons or LessYou will need a gauging stick with a scale to one-eighth inch increments, a pencil, and a notebook. 1. Measure and record the depth of product at the beginning and end of a pre-defined time period (e.g. 24 hours) during which no fuel is being used. 2. Perform test several times to improve accuracy of the test.3. If product level changes over the defined time period, check your tank for leaks.5MONITORING OF ALLTANKS, PIPES AND VALVESRegular monitoring of fuel levels in your storagetanks helps detect leaks quickly. At a minimum, com-pare the volume of tank contents regularly with prod-uct delivery and withdrawal records to help detectleaks before major problems develop.  Remember most leaks result from piping failures. Youcan easily spot leaks in an AST by noting a fuel spoton the tank or dead vegetation on the ground belowthe tank. TA K E  A C T I O N !  Check your pipes. A leak assmall as one drop per secondcan release 400 gallons of fuelinto the environment in oneyear.Although unregulated USTs (less than 1,100 gallons)are not required to be monitored for leaks, it is still avery good idea to check for leaks at least once a year.If your tank is more than 15 years old, or if you don’tknow its age, make a special effort immediately todetermine whether leaks exist or possible dangerspots. Regulated USTs have monitoringrequirements (see above) and must be fitted with leakdetection systems.CONTACTS AND REFERENCES6If You Find a LeakIf you suspect a leak (due to suspicious smells, fumes,or loss of product), call the local fire departmentimmediately. They can check your tank and piping tomake sure it’s safe. Remember, leaking tanks not onlyendanger our waters but create a serious risk ofexplosion. Fuel leaks of less than 25 gallons that are cleaned upwithin 24 hours do not have to be reported to theDERR. For all other leaks or spills, whether from an AST, aUST, or a vehicle-mounted tank, state law requiresyou notify the DERR UST Program within 24 hoursof its discovery. DERR has a 24 hour    hotline (801-536-4123)  to report spills and leaks. Owners oroperators of storage tanks are required to follow theinstructions they receive and must take whateveractions are necessary to remedy the     problem.Closing TanksTanks no longer in use can cause problems for   own-ers and operators many years later. They       continueto corrode and, if they still contain gas or oil, willlikely contaminate groundwater. Determine the loca-tion of any unused tanks on your property. Properclosure procedures must be followed to     preventgroundwater contamination, fire, explosion, or otherhealth and safety problems. Always notify the firedepartment before removing a tank to ensure it issafe to remove it, and to follow fire protection codes. Any regulated underground tank which has not beenused for 12 months or more must be removed fromthe property and properly disposed of in accordancewith fire code requirements and DERR regulations.This requires pre-approval by DERR and the firedepartment, a site assessment, and supervision by acertified tank contractor.FUEL SPILLS AND INCIDENTSSpill Hotline:  Division of Environmental Response andRemediation: (801) 536-4123.National Response Center: Call toll free (800) 424-8802.Local fire department (check county or city phone book).EPA Oil Spill Program Information Line: Call toll free(801) 536-4123.Report oil spills online at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/oilhow.htm.ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKREGULATIONSContact your fire marshal through your local firedepartment. Environmental Protection Agency: (800) 424-9346. REGULATIONS FOR TANKS WITHINCONTAMINATION RANGE OF COMMUNITYWATER SUPPLIESUtah Division of Drinking Water: Source ProtectionProgram:  (801) 536-4200or  http://drinkingwater.utah.gov/source_protection_intro.htm.7PROJECT COORDINATED BY:Nancy Mesner, Utah State University. Written by Leonard Massie, Department of Agricultural Engineering, Universityof Wisconsin-Madison, and University of Wisconsin Extension, Cooperative Extension. Adapted for use in Utah by aninteragency team from materials prepared by Montana State University Extension Service,  Kansas State University andPurdue University Extension Service. The Farmstead Assessment System is a cooperative project of Utah StateUniversity Extension, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, Utah Department of Environmental Quality, UtahFarm Bureau, Utah Association of Conservation Districts, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.UTAH FARM •A•SYST ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND REVIEW TEAM:Howard Deer, John Harrison, Robert W. Hill, Rich Koenig, Nancy Mesner,- Utah State University Extension; KerryGoodrich - Natural Resources Conservation Service;  Mark T. Novak - Division of Water Quality, Utah Department ofEnvironmental Quality;  Bob Lowe - Division of Drinking Water, Utah Department of Environmental Quality;  MarkQuilter - Utah Department of Agriculture and Food;  Mark M. Petersen - Utah Farm Bureau; Utah Association ofConservation Districts.WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS:Mike Allred, Thomas E. Bingham, Kitt Farrell-Poe, Roy Gunnell, Krista Kuester, Dean Maxwell, Stephen E. Poe, W.D.Robinson, Jay Roundy, Adam Siggler and Kyle Peterson Koyle.Funding provided by USDA CSREES Water Quality Initiative Grant 99-EWQI-1-0542.MAY 2005, PEER REVIEWEDUNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKDivision of Environmental Response and RemediationUST Compliance Section:  (801)536-4100or on the web at:  http://www.undergroundtanks.utah.gov/Environmental Response Homepage at http://www.environmentalresponse.utah.gov/Local contact information at http://www.undergroundtanks.utah.gov/ust_contacts.htmEPA Office of Underground Storage Tanks MostFrequently Asked Questions on the web at:http://www.epa.gov/oust/faqs/index.htmMORE READING: UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKREGULATIONSKeeping Utah Clean and Healthy, Fact sheet about DERR http://www.eq.state.ut.us/offices/ppa/news/fact%20sheets/DERR.htmOverview of Utah’s rules, forms and program for USTshttp://undergroundtanks.utah.gov/ustcomp/utustsum.htmFederal Regulations Regarding Underground Storage Tanks(40 CFR, part 280 and 281)http://www.epa.gov/oust/fedlaws/cfr.htmUtah Administration Rules Concerning Underground StorageTanks http://www.undergroundtanks.utah.gov/docs/R31120112_new_final.pdfOTHER EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ABOUTOIL SPILLSEPA Mid-Atlantic Oil Program at http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/eduhome.htmUnderstanding Oil Spills and Oil Spill Response athttp://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/content/learning/pdfbook.htmOTHER QUESTIONS?Contact USU Extension’s Water Quality Program:(435) 797-2580. or on the web at  http://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/GLOSSARYThese definitions may help clarify some terms used in this Fact Sheet and may also help you make  more accurateassessments when completing the Utah Farmstead Assessment for Ground Water and Surface Water Protection Survey 4(Landowner’s Survey: What’s the Risk to your water from fuels?)CERTIFIED TANK CONTRACTOR: A person certified by the state to install and repair fuel storage tanks.Contact Utah Division of Environmental Response and Remediation for a list of names.CORROSION: Deterioration of a metallic material (“rust”) due to a reaction with its environment.CORROSION PROTECTION: Steel tanks can be protected by coating them with a corrosion-resistantcoating combined with “cathodic” protection. Steel underground tanks can also be protected from corrosion ifthey are bonded to a thick layer of non-corrosive material, such as fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Also, the    cor-rosion problem can be entirely avoided by using tanks and piping made completely of non-corrosive    materi-al, such as fiberglass.SECONDARY CONTAINMENT: A system such as a sealed basin and dike that will catch and hold thecontents of a tank if it leaks or ruptures.SPILL AND OVERFILL PROTECTION: Spill protection usually consists of a catch basin for collecting spillswhen the tank is filled. Overfill protection is a warning or prevention of an overfill, such as an automaticshutoff or buzzer. These precautions can prevent a number of small releases over a very long period of timefrom polluting ground water.Utah State University is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and other forms of illegal discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40and older), disability, and veteran's status. USU's policy also prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment and academic related practices and decisions.Utah State University employees and students cannot, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or veteran's status, refuse to hire; discharge; promote; demote;     ter-minate; discriminate in compensation; or discriminate regarding terms, privileges, or conditions of employment, against any person other wise qualified. Employees and students also   cannotdiscriminate in the classroom, residence halls, or in on/off campus, USU-sponsored events and activities.This publication is issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work. Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jack M. Payne, VicePresident and Director, Cooperative Extension Service, Utah State University.8

How to Protect Your Water from Spilled Fuel - Homeowner Fact Sheet

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How to Protect Your Water from Spilled Fuel - Homeowner Fact Sheet

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