How safe is your oil tank?
With the ever rising price of heating oil, storage tanks have become a favoured target for thieves. Worst of all the price of replacing the stolen oil can just be the beginning of the cost…
With winter approaching many of us are increasingly using our central heating. If you are a householder or business with an above ground oil storage tank which fuels your heating, the Environment Agency would like you to consider how well protected your oil tank is from theft or vandalism.
Each year the Environment Agency is contacted by homeowners about leaking heating oil tanks. Worryingly this can be caused during the theft of the oil itself as the tank or pipework is often damaged. If thieves have taken all the oil they can, or are disturbed during the theft, anything left in the tank will usually be left draining to the ground potentially leading to serious pollution.
Cleaning up oil spills is difficult, especially if it enters groundwater, and can be very expensive – easily costing thousands of pounds. It is against the law to cause pollution so you’ll have to take action to clean up any serious spill or leak even where it has been caused by theft or vandalism. Some insurance policies will cover these costs – but often they do not so it is far better to prevent pollution at the outset.
Spilt oil can pollute your local streams, rivers and (if it soaks through the soil and rock) groundwater supplies. In the South East of England we rely heavily on groundwater to supply our drinking water so we must protect it from pollution. Oil is toxic, harmful to plants and animals and is a threat to their habitats.
The oil in your tank is valuable; to help prevent its theft you should consider the following security measures:
Use locks and/or lockable valves – un-secured taps and valves will make oil theft much easier. Remember to ensure that the key/combination is available for refilling, better still, be present for the delivery so that you can see if the correct amount is dispensed without overfilling.
Screening the tank – use plants, shrubs or fencing to make the tank less visible. Ensure that there is still room to access all of the way around the tank so that you can check for signs of leaks or damage. About 2 feet or 600mm should be sufficient to maintain access.
Each year the Environment Agency is contacted by homeowners about leaking heating oil tanks. Worryingly this can be caused during the theft of the oil itself as the tank or pipework is often damaged. If thieves have taken all the oil they can, or are disturbed during the theft, anything left in the tank will usually be left draining to the ground potentially leading to serious pollution.
Cleaning up oil spills is difficult, especially if it enters groundwater, and can be very expensive – easily costing thousands of pounds. It is against the law to cause pollution so you’ll have to take action to clean up any serious spill or leak even where it has been caused by theft or vandalism. Some insurance policies will cover these costs – but often they do not so it is far better to prevent pollution at the outset.
Spilt oil can pollute your local streams, rivers and (if it soaks through the soil and rock) groundwater supplies. In the South East of England we rely heavily on groundwater to supply our drinking water so we must protect it from pollution. Oil is toxic, harmful to plants and animals and is a threat to their habitats.
The oil in your tank is valuable; to help prevent its theft you should consider the following security measures:
Use locks and/or lockable valves – un-
Re-locate your tank – if you need a new tank, or are thinking about moving your existing tank, consider how you can make it less obvious. Can you move it away from the roadside or to the back garden? Remember, the tank must still be positioned to minimise the risk of pollution and not near to watercourses, loose-fitting manhole covers, wells or boreholes.
Check your tank regularly – look for signs of tampering with the tank which could be signs of attempted theft – you may still be vulnerable to theft on another occasion. Also, when checking your tank, look for any signs of corrosion, bulging or staining which indicate it has, or is likely, to leak. However, leaks are not always easy to see – especially if they occur from underground pipework leading into your property, so keep a check on your oil consumption.
If the worst happens and you have a leak or spill:
· Contact your oil supplier for advice and help in removing the remaining oil
· Call our Environment Agency Incident Hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24 hours)
· You may also wish to check your insurance policy to see if it covers your oil tank and any spillages.
For more information on how to look after your oil storage tank and avoid pollution please visit the oil bank line website at: www.oilbankline.org.uk
