Preparing Fuel Tanks for Flooding can Reduce Possible Damage to Health, Property, the Environment

St. Paul, MN – March 7, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) —  The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) urges Minnesotans to prepare their fuel oil, gasoline and other petroleum tanks for the flooding expected this spring.  This will reduce damage that spilled petroleum products wreak on property and buildings as well as reduce damage to the environment, according to MPCA Emergency Responder Walt Haas.

Because water is heavier than fuel, floodwater can enter buried tanks, displacing the fuel.  Farmers and other rural residents who have underground fuel storage tanks should make sure their tanks are vented above the height of potential floodwater.

“The best way to prepare above-ground fuel storage tanks for a flood is to have them emptied,” Haas said.  “If that is not possible or practical, the tanks should be secured to concrete anchors in the ground so they cannot float away.

“If floodwater comes into contact with unsecured fuel oil tanks in basements, it will cause them to become unstable, tip over and/or float on the surface of the water.  If a tank’s vent, fill pipe or other openings are not watertight, floodwater will enter the tank and displace the fuel into the home or office.  In addition to creating fire and environmental hazards, the fuel will be absorbed by any porous material it comes in contact with, such as carpet, wood, cinder block and drywall.  Once that happens, fuel vapors may persist in the building indefinitely.”

If floodwaters are forecast to be high enough at your home or office to cause your tank to tip over or float:
Contact a bulk fuel distributor to remove the fuel from the tank before flooding begins, and plug its vent and fill pipes.  Although this will make the tank more buoyant in floodwater, it will prevent or reduce leakage of fuel into a home or office should floodwater tip the tank over or enter the tank through an opening.  If the tank is no longer in service, remove the unused equipment, including all piping, and seal the vent and fill openings.

Secure the tank so that it will remain upright if floodwater causes it to float.  The tank may float like a bobber if your basement floods, so anything used to secure the tank must be able to withstand these buoyant forces.  Also, the fill and vent must be plugged to prevent water from entering the tank and displacing the fuel.

If floodwater gets into a home or office but does not come in contact with the tank, the situation should be monitored to ensure that the tank’s supports are secure and that its stability is not undermined by the water.

Underground tanks at commercial facilities should be topped off and vents and openings sealed so the tanks are watertight.  Another option is to remove the contents of the tanks and fill them with water to prevent buoyancy.

If they notice that tanks have leaked, tank owners should call the Minnesota Duty Officer toll-free at 800-422-0798.

If they have questions, tank owners may call the MPCA’s offices in Detroit Lakes, Marshall, Willmar, St. Paul, Rochester, Brainerd or Duluth toll-free at 800-657-3864.

More information on what to do before and after floods to minimize risks to health and damage to property and the environment is on the MPCA’s website at www.pca.state.mn.us/hqzq7fe.