Dribbly Oil Tanks Can Make Neighbors Cranky

We either bump into them in the basement on the way to the washing machine, or mow around them in the backyard. They are the big black 275-gallon oil tanks that store our fuel, keeping old man winter's frosty breath at bay for over 250,000 homes in Maine. Usually we don't give them much thought until it's almost winter. But every year, some Mainers wish they had.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection responds to an average of one home heating oil tank spill per day. Obvious spills occur when tank bottoms rust out, ice from the roof breaks off tank filters, or frost heaves push tippy tanks to the ground. More insidious problems result from corroded underground copper tank lines, which often go unnoticed.

These spills can ruin finished basements, homeowner's wells, and many times old friendships among neighbors whose wells have also been contaminated.

The good news is that there is a state groundwater insurance fund that can help to pay for the clean up of these home heating oil spills. Homeowners pay a $500 dollar deductible (there are some low income exceptions), but that's not much compared to the thousands of dollars it can cost to replace a well or remove contaminated soil.

The better news is that we can do something to prevent all this in the first place! Licensed oil technicians can check out tank systems to see if they're safe and up to code.

New state rules require all buried copper lines to be replaced by September, 2000 and all outside tanks to be protected against tipping and overhead damage by February 2003. Copper lines can be run overhead to keep them out of the way, or re-installed in the basement floor if they're sleeved in plastic pipe.

A firm foundation and concrete pad, or concrete blocks for flat outside tanks, will protect tanks from falling over, and filter protectors can be used to protect against falling snow or ice.

Don't worry, no one in a dark suit and dark glasses will be knocking on your door demanding to see your tank and piping. But you might hear from your oil dealer, who doesn't want to be tied up in finger pointing over who's at fault after the spill.

For more information on upgrading your tank, call your oil dealer, or the Maine DEP at 1-800-452-1942. Ask for the pamphlet "Is Your Tank in Shape" which includes a check-list so you can see how your tank system stacks up. This problem literally hits home in our backyards (or basements), so when you call this summer or fall for a furnace cleaning, schedule a tank check-up as well!

David McCaskill