Is your oil storage tank old? Did you know that you could be at risk if your tank has developed a leak and is seeping oil into the ground? This can contaminate the soil surrounding the tank and pollute your groundwater. If you get your drinking water from a well, this problem can affect your health and the safety of your family.
Warning signs to look for are high levels of heating oil consumption when the weather has not been cold, a smell of oil in your home or surrounding your underground tank, staining on the basement walls or floors close to the fuel tank, water in your storage tank, persistent problems with your oil burner, an oily sheen in the runoff from around your home and tank, a persistent feeling something is just not right. A more complete list of warning signs to look for can be provided by your local fuel oil dealer.
Removal of the tank should be done by a company specializing in leaky fuel storage tank remediation and removal. The oil should be drained as soon as possible to prevent further loss and pollution of the surrounding area. Your fuel oil company can assess if it is still viable for future use. Leaky tanks are not just an environmental hazard and dangerous to your health, they also cost more money to fill and can lower the quality of the oil stored in them for heating use.
While the loss of a few gallons of oil might seem acceptable, it only takes a small amount to cause long term damage to your health cause a long term hazard to your safety in your home. Leaky underground fuel storage tanks can also kill the vegetation growing above them, like a lawn.
If your tank has developed a leak, your best option is to have it replaced. In NJ, there is a state program to remove old, leaky underground fuel oil storage tanks and replace them with state of the art, above ground, double walled tanks. That is right, the state of New Jersey is actually interested in the environment and is trying to help its citizens clean up the planet. Property owners who have leaky tanks are required to pay part of the cost of removal, because nothing is entirely free. The assistance in tank removal and soil clean-up is an ongoing project that has been in progress for more than ten years.
Author Resource:-
EMA (http://www.emaenv.com/) is a full service environmental consulting and contracting firm providing quality service to residential, industrial, NJ oil tank removal and commercial clients in the Tri-State Area. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
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