Clarehill Plastics Limited

News – Industry News

Don't Slip Up - Check Your Oil Tank, Says The Environment Agency

14th January 2010

The Environment Agency in the South of England, is urging businesses and individuals to seek advice about potential environmental problems and safety impacts that may come during the thaw.

"It's important that we offer guidance where necessary and reassurance when needed," explained Toby Willison the Environment Agency's Regional Director for the South of England. "We work closely with all our business partners to ensure the environment is protected whatever the weather. However, individuals also need to be clear on the things they can do to protect themselves and the environment, even if it's simple advice such as regularly checking pipes for damage."

Home owners across the South East of England who use heating oil are being urged to check their tanks and pipes to avoid the risk of pollution. Many people in Kent, Sussex and Hampshire, particularly in rural areas, burn heating oil to warm their homes and business premises. Every winter there are several incidents of leaks from heating oil tanks in the region, resulting in oil seeping into the ground. This can have a devastating effect on the local environment, especially if the oil travels through the rock and into the water stored under the ground.

Problems with oil tanks can also have a devastating effect on homeowners as clean up costs can run in the tens of thousands of pounds, with these costs not always covered by home insurance policies. The clean-up operation can also involve the excavation of large areas of gardens and driveways to clean out leaked oil.

The simplest way to avoid an oil pollution incident is to ensure you only store heating oil inside a Bunded Tank, equipped with an anti-siphon valve. Bunded Oil Tanks are a legal requirement at all new, replacement and existing external, aboveground oil storage installations with an installed capacity greater than 200 litres at all commercial, industrial and institutional premises and at virtually all new and replacement domestic oil heating installations.

As part of its advisory role, the Environment Agency has a simple message for businesses and consumers. If you need advice and support - or if you have any concerns regarding pollution or flooding - call us on the following numbers:

• For businesses: National Customer Contact Centre: 24hr: 08708 506 506
• For consumers: Environment Agency: 24hr Incident Hotline: 0800 80 70 60
• For business and consumers: Floodline: 0845 988 1188

And for the minority of individuals and businesses who might be tempted to take advantage and cut corners, Toby Willison issued this warning. "We will not hesitate to come down hard on those whose actions harm the environment."

Oil Heating and Fuel Storage Industry News in association with OilFiredUp.com