Contact: Sam Brungardt, 651-757-2249 or 1-800-657-3864
sam.brungardt@state.mn.us
St. Paul, Minn. — As floodwaters make their way through communities around the state, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) urges Minnesotans to prepare their fuel oil, gasoline and other petroleum tanks.
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. If that is not possible or practical, the tanks should be secured to concrete anchors or deadmen 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 water tight, floodwater will enter the tank and displace the fuel into the home or office. In addition to creating possible fire and environmental hazards, the fuel will be absorbed by any porous material it comes in contact with, such as wood, cinder block, carpet and drywall. Once that happens, fuel vapors may persist in the building indefinitely.
Here are steps that will help prevent spilling or leaking of fuel from an indoor tank in the event of a flood:
• If floodwater is expected to be high enough in your home or office to cause your tank to tip over or float, have a bulk fuel distributor remove the fuel from the tank and plug its vent and fill pipes. Although this will make the tank more buoyant in water, it will prevent or reduce leakage of fuel into your home or office should floodwater tip the tank over or enter it through an opening.
The tank may float like a bobber if your basement becomes flooded. Secure the tank in such as way that it will be kept in an upright position if floodwater causes it to float. Anything used to secure the tank must be able to withstand these buoyant forces. And, the fill and vent must be plugged to prevent water from entering the tank and displacing the fuel.
• If floodwater gets into your home or office but does not come into contact with the tank, monitor the situation to ensure that the tank’s supports are secure and its stability is not undermined by the water.
• If the tank is no longer in service, remove the unused equipment, including all piping, and seal the vent and fill openings on the building.
Underground tanks at commercial facilities should be topped off and their vents and fill openings sealed so the tanks are water tight. Another option is to remove the contents of the tanks and fill them with water to prevent their becoming buoyant and popping out of the ground.
Tank owners should call the Minnesota Duty Officer at 1-800-422-0798 if they notice that their tanks have leaked.
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 1-800-657-3864.
More advice on what to do before and after flooding to minimize risks to health and damage to property and the environment is on the MPCA’s Web site at http://ww.pca.state.mn.us/hot/floods.html.
