Approximately 20% of all spills of environmental concern, which occur in this province every year, are from domestic furnace oil tanks.

If not properly installed and maintained, the common domestic heating oil tank found at many Newfoundland and Labrador homes can become a serious threat to the environment.

This article suggests how to avoid or minimize the risks associated with leaks and spills from home heating oil tanks, and gives the procedures to follow should a fuel loss occur.

As owner of a furnace oil tank you have a number of responsibilities of which you may not be aware:

• to ensure the fuel tank is sound and not leaking
• if a leak does occur, to ensure the proper authorities are notified. Regulations require that a spill greater than 70 litres (15 gallons) be reported immediately
• to clean up spilled oil from all areas affected by the spill. In addition to your own property, this may include neighbouring properties, drainage systems, streams, ponds, etc.
• to cover any costs associated with the clean up of, or the impacts of fuel lost from yourtank

• contact your fuel supplier and/or tank supplier to determine precautionary procedures
• have your tank and piping routinely inspected for signs of leakage or deterioration
• ensure that you have adequate insurance protection against the costs associated with a spill

The Government Service Centre, in cooperation with the Canadian Coast Guard service, provides a 24-hour emergency response program for environmental emergencies. You can report a spill by calling 772-2083. Collect calls will be accepted or call 1-800-563-2444.

You should notify owners of neighbouring properties that you have had a spill and that you are taking measures to have the situation addressed.

As much detail as possible should be given. lt is important for response personnel to know your name and telephone number, the location of the spill, and the approximate amount of the loss.

Immediate excavation of contaminated soil and materials is recommended. This will help reduce the spread of oil onto neighbouring properties. Once the excavation is complete, fresh soil may be used to replace the contaminated soil.

Before backfilling with fresh soil, the site must be inspected by an official of the Government Service Centre to ensure the contaminated area has been cleaned satisfactorily.

Disposal of oil-contaminated soil must be done at an approved disposal site. A Government Service Centre official can inform you of the proper disposal procedures.

Anyone can undertake to clean up a spill, as long as it is done to the satisfaction of the Department of Environment, as determined by officials of the Government Service Centre.

There are a number of private contractors who specialize in the clean up of environmental spills. A list of these can be found in the yellow pages of your telephone directory under Environmental Consultants & Services.

Costs vary, depending on the particulars of the situation. Some factors which will affect the cost ofcleaning your propertyofan oil spill are:

• the amount of oil spilled
• where the oil has spread
• the type of soil on your property
• the impact of the spill on neighbouring properties
• the impact of the spill on the local water table
• the accessibility of the spill state

Please visit our website at http://www.gov.nf.ca/gsl