LEAKING TANKS - Leaking underground storage tanks are a serious threat to ground water supplies, especially if these tanks are located in sensitive ground water areas. Sensitive ground water areas are areas near public or private water supply wells and areas of aquifer recharge.
Problems resulting from leaking tanks can include: surface water contamination, surface and subsurface soil contamination and property damage. Property damage can include seepage into buildings and damage to buried telephone conduits. Vapor leakage from underground tanks depends upon soil and weather conditions. Leaking vapors can cause health problems ranging from nausea to respiratory distress. The potential for combustion and fire is a concern for tanks located next to buildings since vapors may leak into the building.
Other less frequent problems associated with underground storage tanks include spills from overfilling the tank. Heating oil spilled during overfilling may contaminate the surrounding soils. This problem, if caught quickly, may involve only minor cleanup.
Leaks from underground storage tanks result from defects in tank material, improper fittings, improper installation, damage during installation, corrosion or mechanical failure of the pipes and fittings or tanks which are improperly abandoned or removed. Older tanks, especially those constructed of bare steel and those tanks located in highly corrosive areas, are more susceptible to leakage problems.
