Michigan State University Extension
MSU Extension Water Quality Bulletins - WQ225001
07/14/97
Preventing Water Contamination from Home Heating Fuel Tanks
Heating oil is one of the most dangerous substances
routinely stored near or in your home. It poses the threat
of fire and explosion, and oil leaks from storage tanks can
contaminate surface and groundwater. This bulletin
describes what you can do to ensure the safety of your tank
and prevent pollution from fuel oil spills.
Water Pollution and Fuel Oil
Michigan is blessed with ample water supplies in lakes,
streams, wetlands and underground aquifers. But because of
the state's geology, many areas have sandy soils with
little clay layering to protect groundwater supplies from
chemical spills, leaving water vulnerable to contamination.
Because there are so many tanks in Michigan, especially in
rural areas, fuel oil leakage is a major potential source
of pollution. This leakage can come from underground or
damaged aboveground tanks. The chances of a leak occurring
increase dramatically when tanks are poorly maintained or
more than 15 years old. Spills can also occur when tanks
are being filled.
It takes very little fuel to contaminate groundwater. A
1-gallon spill can contaminate a million gallons of water
to the point where odor and taste make it unacceptable to
drink. Fuel oil contains a number of potentially toxic
chemicals. Once groundwater is contaminated, it is very
difficult and expensive to clean up.
How To Prevent Problems - Aboveground Tanks
There are many ways to ensure that your aboveground or
basement tank does not leak. The first and foremost is to
be sure the tank is on solid, stable footings that resist
movement from changes in soil moisture and frost heaving.
Brick, cinder block and concrete are the most common
materials for footings.
Other suggestions are to:
Mark fill pipes very clearly so delivery people know
exactly where the fuel should go.
Place a waterproof layer under the fill pipe to prevent
small spills from reaching water supplies. A concrete pad
works well. Even small spills can contaminate water.
Pay special attention to the copper pipe leading from the
fuel storage tank to the furnace. It is easy to damage
this pipe by dropping or stacking heavy objects on it.
Make sure it is well protected.
Regularly inspect the whole system for leaks or small
spills. They often appear as relatively harmless stains
on the soil or in the basement, but these may indicate
bigger problems.
Do not use the area around or under the tank as a storage
area. Heavy items can damage the fill or supply pipes.
Use a locked fill pipe cap to help prevent vandalism.
Arrange to be present when the tank is filled. That will
give an opportunity to confirm with the delivery person
the amount being delivered and ensure that the correct
pipe is being used.
How To Prevent Problems - Underground Tanks
Underground fuel storage tanks are more difficult than
aboveground tanks to monitor and maintain. Leaks can
persist for some time without being discovered and cause
significant groundwater pollution.
One of the keys to maintaining an underground storage tank
is regular monitoring to guard against undetected leaks.
Using a dipstick, carefully record fuel levels at the end
of each heating season. Recheck periodically to detect fuel
losses. If your furnace uses a pilot light that remains lit
during the summer, you may lose a small amount of fuel.
Otherwise, changes in fuel levels may indicate a leak.
Another way to prevent leaks from underground tanks is to
remove or replace tanks more than 15 years old and consider
installing aboveground storage systems.
If you prefer to continue using your underground tank, you
should be aware that technology is rapidly changing in the
field of underground storage tanks. There are now ways of
upgrading old tanks with new linings and other forms of
protection. Your fuel distributor may have names of
companies in your area that can provide information.
Properly Installing Fuel Tanks
Proper installation is one of the best ways to prevent
leaky tank problems. The first step is to use a high
quality new tank. Used tanks may corrode faster and cause
problems. In all cases, use a tank designed specifically
for the purpose intended. NEVER use a tank designed for
underground uses aboveground and vice versa. To prevent
corrosion, the hole should be backfilled with at least 6
inches of a non-corrosive material, such as clean sand.
Also, cover the tank with at least 2 feet of soil or 1 foot
of soil beneath a 6-inch concrete pad. State and local
codes may provide additional installation information.
When installing an aboveground tank, take care to provide
good support for the tank. Locate it away from areas where
vehicles or other objects could damage it. Also, maintain
state required isolation distances between the tank and
buildings, wells and property lines. The Michigan State
Police Fire Marshal Division and your local building
inspector can help determine the best placement of a tank.
You can install a tank yourself, although it is a good idea
to hire professional assistance to ensure the job is
completed safely and correctly.
Removing Fuel Storage Tanks
It is a good idea to remove any unused or abandoned
underground heating fuel storage tanks, although current
laws require that only tanks abandoned before July 1983 be
removed. You can remove your own tank, but qualified
excavators can often complete the job more safely and
efficiently. Take great care while lifting the tank out of
the ground to prevent punctures and spills.
If you are removing a basement tank, be sure to permanently
seal the fill and vent pipes. Incidents have occurred in
which fuel was inadvertently delivered to these abandoned
pipes, filling the basement with oil.
After removing a tank, you must eliminate all the fuel
vapor before dismantling or transporting it. Eliminating
fuel vapor by venting and removing the sludge at the bottom
of the tank is an important safety step. Once it is vapor
free, you can sell the tank for scrap and transport it
according to state police fire marshal regulations.
Because of the danger of fire or explosion, you should hire
qualified contractors to do this work for you. There are
companies throughout Michigan that will remove the residual
fuel and sludge and haul the tank away. To find them, look
under "Tanks" in the Yellow Pages.
Heating Fuel Tanks and the Law
Federal and state laws regulate most fuel storage tanks.
Recent laws place stringent requirements for upgrading and
leak protection of commercial tanks. These regulations,
however, do not currently apply to home heating fuel tanks.
The Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division administers
rules that govern home heating fuel storage, including
rules that specify design, installation and removal
criteria.
In addition to these rules, the Michigan Safe Drinking
Water Act and local sanitation codes specify minimum
distances between tanks and wells, septic systems, property
lines, rivers, lakes, wetlands, roads and buildings.
What If a Spill Occurs?
If you suspect that your tank is leaking now or leaked in
the past, contact your local health department and the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. They will help
determine the extent of the problem and what is needed to
clean up the spill. Under Michigan law, property owners
are responsible for cleaning contaminated soil and water on
or migrating from any affected properties.
Sometimes homeowner insurance policies cover accidental
spills from home heating fuel tanks. Many times, however,
policies specifically exclude pollution problems from
coverage, so you should check with your agent to find out
if you're covered. Repairing pollution problems is very
expensive, and cleaning up groundwater contamination can
cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Where to go for Help
Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division
1-800-MICH-UST
Your district Department of Natural Resources office
Environmental Response Division
Your local health department
Your local Cooperative Extension Service office
Preventing Water Contamination from Home Heating Fuel Tanks
Heating oil is one of the most dangerous substances
routinely stored near or in your home. It poses the threat
of fire and explosion, and oil leaks from storage tanks can
contaminate surface and groundwater. This bulletin
describes what you can do to ensure the safety of your tank
and prevent pollution from fuel oil spills.
Water Pollution and Fuel Oil
Michigan is blessed with ample water supplies in lakes,
streams, wetlands and underground aquifers. But because of
the state's geology, many areas have sandy soils with
little clay layering to protect groundwater supplies from
chemical spills, leaving water vulnerable to contamination.
Because there are so many tanks in Michigan, especially in
rural areas, fuel oil leakage is a major potential source
of pollution. This leakage can come from underground or
damaged aboveground tanks. The chances of a leak occurring
increase dramatically when tanks are poorly maintained or
more than 15 years old. Spills can also occur when tanks
are being filled.
It takes very little fuel to contaminate groundwater. A
1-gallon spill can contaminate a million gallons of water
to the point where odor and taste make it unacceptable to
drink. Fuel oil contains a number of potentially toxic
chemicals. Once groundwater is contaminated, it is very
difficult and expensive to clean up.
How To Prevent Problems - Aboveground Tanks
There are many ways to ensure that your aboveground or
basement tank does not leak. The first and foremost is to
be sure the tank is on solid, stable footings that resist
movement from changes in soil moisture and frost heaving.
Brick, cinder block and concrete are the most common
materials for footings.
Other suggestions are to:
Mark fill pipes very clearly so delivery people know
exactly where the fuel should go.
Place a waterproof layer under the fill pipe to prevent
small spills from reaching water supplies. A concrete pad
works well. Even small spills can contaminate water.
Pay special attention to the copper pipe leading from the
fuel storage tank to the furnace. It is easy to damage
this pipe by dropping or stacking heavy objects on it.
Make sure it is well protected.
Regularly inspect the whole system for leaks or small
spills. They often appear as relatively harmless stains
on the soil or in the basement, but these may indicate
bigger problems.
Do not use the area around or under the tank as a storage
area. Heavy items can damage the fill or supply pipes.
Use a locked fill pipe cap to help prevent vandalism.
Arrange to be present when the tank is filled. That will
give an opportunity to confirm with the delivery person
the amount being delivered and ensure that the correct
pipe is being used.
How To Prevent Problems - Underground Tanks
Underground fuel storage tanks are more difficult than
aboveground tanks to monitor and maintain. Leaks can
persist for some time without being discovered and cause
significant groundwater pollution.
One of the keys to maintaining an underground storage tank
is regular monitoring to guard against undetected leaks.
Using a dipstick, carefully record fuel levels at the end
of each heating season. Recheck periodically to detect fuel
losses. If your furnace uses a pilot light that remains lit
during the summer, you may lose a small amount of fuel.
Otherwise, changes in fuel levels may indicate a leak.
Another way to prevent leaks from underground tanks is to
remove or replace tanks more than 15 years old and consider
installing aboveground storage systems.
If you prefer to continue using your underground tank, you
should be aware that technology is rapidly changing in the
field of underground storage tanks. There are now ways of
upgrading old tanks with new linings and other forms of
protection. Your fuel distributor may have names of
companies in your area that can provide information.
Properly Installing Fuel Tanks
Proper installation is one of the best ways to prevent
leaky tank problems. The first step is to use a high
quality new tank. Used tanks may corrode faster and cause
problems. In all cases, use a tank designed specifically
for the purpose intended. NEVER use a tank designed for
underground uses aboveground and vice versa. To prevent
corrosion, the hole should be backfilled with at least 6
inches of a non-corrosive material, such as clean sand.
Also, cover the tank with at least 2 feet of soil or 1 foot
of soil beneath a 6-inch concrete pad. State and local
codes may provide additional installation information.
When installing an aboveground tank, take care to provide
good support for the tank. Locate it away from areas where
vehicles or other objects could damage it. Also, maintain
state required isolation distances between the tank and
buildings, wells and property lines. The Michigan State
Police Fire Marshal Division and your local building
inspector can help determine the best placement of a tank.
You can install a tank yourself, although it is a good idea
to hire professional assistance to ensure the job is
completed safely and correctly.
Removing Fuel Storage Tanks
It is a good idea to remove any unused or abandoned
underground heating fuel storage tanks, although current
laws require that only tanks abandoned before July 1983 be
removed. You can remove your own tank, but qualified
excavators can often complete the job more safely and
efficiently. Take great care while lifting the tank out of
the ground to prevent punctures and spills.
If you are removing a basement tank, be sure to permanently
seal the fill and vent pipes. Incidents have occurred in
which fuel was inadvertently delivered to these abandoned
pipes, filling the basement with oil.
After removing a tank, you must eliminate all the fuel
vapor before dismantling or transporting it. Eliminating
fuel vapor by venting and removing the sludge at the bottom
of the tank is an important safety step. Once it is vapor
free, you can sell the tank for scrap and transport it
according to state police fire marshal regulations.
Because of the danger of fire or explosion, you should hire
qualified contractors to do this work for you. There are
companies throughout Michigan that will remove the residual
fuel and sludge and haul the tank away. To find them, look
under "Tanks" in the Yellow Pages.
Heating Fuel Tanks and the Law
Federal and state laws regulate most fuel storage tanks.
Recent laws place stringent requirements for upgrading and
leak protection of commercial tanks. These regulations,
however, do not currently apply to home heating fuel tanks.
The Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division administers
rules that govern home heating fuel storage, including
rules that specify design, installation and removal
criteria.
In addition to these rules, the Michigan Safe Drinking
Water Act and local sanitation codes specify minimum
distances between tanks and wells, septic systems, property
lines, rivers, lakes, wetlands, roads and buildings.
What If a Spill Occurs?
If you suspect that your tank is leaking now or leaked in
the past, contact your local health department and the
Michigan Department of Natural Resources. They will help
determine the extent of the problem and what is needed to
clean up the spill. Under Michigan law, property owners
are responsible for cleaning contaminated soil and water on
or migrating from any affected properties.
Sometimes homeowner insurance policies cover accidental
spills from home heating fuel tanks. Many times, however,
policies specifically exclude pollution problems from
coverage, so you should check with your agent to find out
if you're covered. Repairing pollution problems is very
expensive, and cleaning up groundwater contamination can
cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Where to go for Help
Michigan State Police Fire Marshal Division
1-800-MICH-UST
Your district Department of Natural Resources office
Environmental Response Division
Your local health department
Your local Cooperative Extension Service office
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
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Data base WQ was last revised on 07/14/97.
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