THE SES COMPANIES

Table of Contents:

What is a Home Heating Oil Tank?

Return to top

What are your responsibilities as a Tank Owner/Operator?

• Look at your tank system. A monthly check is recommended as a preventive maintenance tool. Report sudden changes in product level or problems to a heating repair professional or your oil supplier.
• Understand your tank system and how it works. You should know the tank size, age, construction material (of both tank and piping) and who to call if a repair is needed. Keep track of all deliveries.
• If obvious signs of contamination are found (such as petroleum vapors, oil on property, etc.), immediately report petroleum releases or discharges to any DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality) Regional Office or to an environmental soil consultant who can instruct you of your responsibilities.

Return to top

General Home Heating Oil Tank Information

• Any unexplained presence of water in the tank may signify a leak. There is a water-finding paste available to check for water in your tank. Some aboveground tanks have a small oil/water separator installed (a small bowl-like fixture at the bottom of the tank) to drain water from the tank. A small amount of water is often in a tank (condensation), but a sudden increase should be reported to your oil supplier. If water needs to be pumped out of a tank, be sure that the contents are properly collected, contained, and disposed of, not pumped onto the ground.
• Operating problems with a furnace may also signify a leak. Have a heating repair professional inspect your heating system on a regular basis. Sudden changes in oil consumption or the furnace shutting off may indicate a leak or other problem.
• Do not wait for your tank to leak to inspect, protect, or replace it. Since you cannot see the condition of underground tanks, you are usually not aware of developing problems. Underground tanks are especially susceptible to problems because of their corrosive environment. The rate of corrosion varies due to a number of site conditions and type of tank construction.
• Tanks and lines installed aboveground allow the owner to be able to see problems quickly while they are still "small." Underground tanks and piping require more dilligent professional attention.
• Proper installation and maintenance of the tank system is the key to protecting your property from oil contamination. Use professional tank installers and/or repair technicians to work on your tank system.
• Although removal of unused home heating oil tanks may not be required by law, SES recommends that unused underground home heating oil tanks be removed from the ground and disposed of properly. If this is not possible, the tank should be emptied, cleaned, and then filled with inert material (sand, cement slurry) to prevent future problems (collapse). Tank closure work should be conducted by a professional. Check local codes and ordinances. Report any signs of contamination/leakage to the VA DEQ.
• The DEQ has a reimbursement fund, called the Virginia Petroleum Storage Tank Fund (VPSTF),from which a homeowner may be able to recover some of the costs of cleanups associated with leaking tanks. VPSTF does not reimburse tank removal, repair or replacement costs, only eligible cleanup costs. The financial responsibility requirement for home heating oil tanks is one small deductible per occurrence. The actual amount reimbursed depends on following DEQ's directions and pre-approval for conducting the cleanup and whether the costs you incur are within the usual, customary rates reimbursed by DEQ. Copies of applicable homeowner insurance documents must be provided to DEQ and may affect access to VPSTF.

Return to top

Commonly Asked Questions and Answers

All underground home heating oil tanks are exempt from the State and Federal Underground Storage Tank (UST) Technical Regulations. Aboveground home heating oil tanks less than or equal to 5,000 gallons capacity are exempt from the DEQ's Pollution Prevention requirements. Discharges of oil, however, are prohibited by Article 11 of State Water Control Law. Always check local codes and ordinances to see if any apply.

Check with your local code officials for local codes or ordinances that may pertain. Potential buyers are sometimes reluctant to purchase property with abandoned or improperly closed home heating oil tanks; therefore, closure may prove beneficial. Removal eliminates a potential threat to the environment.

A local building permit and any inspections are required by your local building official to remove to remove or demolish the structure. You do not need to contact the DEQ unless you discover signs of a leak, spill, or contamination.

If you discover signs of a leak or spillage such as stains on the soil, strong petroleum odors, puddles of oil, etc., your local DEQ Regional Office must be notified immediately. Work performed more than 24 hours prior to reporting a leak to DEQ or local officials is not eligible for reimbursement.

Soils and Environmental Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 570
13059 Fitzwater Drive
Nokesville, Virginia 20182
Contact: Billy Willard
(703) 594-3752 ext. 204

There are many ways you can get answers to any questions you may have. First of all, we have answered a lot of frequently asked questions throughout this web site. Secondly, you can email Billy at bwillard@sesonsite.com, or send anyone in the company a message by filling out our simple contact form. If you would rather speak to someone in person, you can call us at (703) 594-3752, or (888) 882-7474.

Return to top

In Summary

Return to top