DEC Contact: Kevin Frazier (518) 402-8000 November 25, 2015
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HOMEOWNERS ADVISED TO CHECK FUEL OIL TANKS TO PREVENT LEAKS & SPILLS AS WINTER APPROACHES |
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As colder weather descends on the northeast and homeowners receive shipments of home heating oil, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is urging homeowners to inspect heating fuel oil storage tanks for leaks or spills. More than two million homes in New York are heated by fuel oil. Each year, hundreds of fuel oil spills from home heating oil tanks are reported to the DEC Spills Hotline. These spills have resulted in contamination of basements, groundwater, wells and soils, and expensive cleanups that are often not covered by homeowner’s insurance. Some of the most common causes of home fuel oil spills are failing storage tanks; faulty fuel lines and connections; collapsing tank legs and supports; and overflows during delivery. An annual inspection of fuel oil storage tanks can prevent impacts to human health and the environment from leaks and spills. DEC is providing the following checklists to residents to inspect their storage tasks. If one or more of these items are observed contact your fuel oil service provider. Report any actual spill or leak of fuel oil to the DEC Spills Hotline: 1-800-457-7362. Above Ground Heating Fuel Oils Storage Tank Checklist
Underground Heating Fuel Oils Storage Tank Checklist
For more information on home heating oil tank stewardship visit: http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/32263.html. |
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