Contact, Sam Brungardt, 651-757-2249
St. Paul, Minn. — Minnesotans understand winter. They know how to embrace it, love it and survive the challenging conditions it frequently brings.
Keeping their homes warm in winter is the first order of business for most Minnesotans. For the approximately 90,000 Minnesotans who heat their homes with fuel oil, that should mean inspecting their fuel oil tanks and piping to prevent leaks and spills this winter.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says that more than 40 residential fuel oil spills and leaks occur each year, damaging homes and placing a dent in the homeowners’ pocketbooks from cleanup costs and the loss of fuel.
“We see this happen every fall,” Chris McLain, Petroleum Remediation Supervisor at the MPCA said. “The effects of a fuel oil spill can be devastating. We’ve seen fuel oil spilling into people’s basements, well water becoming undrinkable and homes even becoming unlivable ― and all of this is preventable.”
Fuel oil tanks need regular maintenance to prevent leaks from corrosion, improper installation, faulty piping, failing valves and from weather conditions, such as falling ice, snow packs or flooding.
“A simple survey each fall by homeowners, inspecting the condition of their tanks and piping, is all it would take to prevent many leaks from occurring,” McLain said. “Additionally, homeowners should contact their fuel oil supplier if their tanks are no longer in use, or their usage needs have changed, to prevent tank overfills or leaks from disconnected piping. Some fuel oil suppliers even offer tank and furnace inspection services to assist homeowners in identifying and addressing maintenance issues.
Cleaning up fuel oil spills can cost a homeowner thousands of dollars and years of their time. Don’t let this happen to you this winter. Inspect your tanks and piping, talk with your fuel oil supplier and be ready to heat your home safely.
If you discover a petroleum release from your tank, call the Minnesota Duty Officer immediately at 800-422-0798.
