Petroleum Product Storage Fact/Worksheet

Why should I be concerned?

How will these materials help me to protect my drinking water?

How do I complete the worksheet?

Why should I be concerned?

Aboveground and underground storage of liquid petroleum products such as motor fuel and heating fuel presents a threat to public health and the environment. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nearly one out of every four underground storage tanks or piping systems in the United States may now be leaking. For an underground petroleum tank more than 20 years old, the potential for leaking increases dramatically, particularly if it’s not protected against corrosion. Newer tanks and piping can also leak, especially if not installed properly.

A small gasoline leak of one drop per second can result in the release of about 400 gallons of gasoline in one year. This released gasoline may enter the ground water, where even a few quarts may be enough to severely pollute a homestead’s drinking water. At low levels, fuel contaminants in water cannot be detected by smell or taste, yet the seemingly pure water may be contaminated to the point of affecting human health.

Since pesticides get more media attention than fuel contaminants, the common perception is that they pose a more significant health risk. However, petroleum fuels contain a number of potentially toxic compounds as well, including common solvents such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, and additives such as ethylene dibromide and organic lead compounds. Benzene, considered a human carcinogen, has a ground-water standard much like that of many pesticides at five parts per billion.

Preventing tank spills and leaks is especially important because of how rapidly gasoline, diesel, and fuel oils can move through surface layers and into ground water. Vapors from an underground leak that collect in basements, sumps, or other underground structures have the potential to explode. Selling property with an old underground tank may also be difficult.

This worksheet focuses on storage of gasoline, kerosene, and liquid heating fuels, as well as any related piping. It does not apply to aboveground LP (liquid propane) gas, because leaks vaporize quickly and do not threaten ground water.

The goal of Home*A*Syst is to help you protect the environment and your drinking water.

How will these materials help me to protect my drinking water?

  • It will take you step-by-step through your fertilizer storage, handling, and disposal practices.
  • It will rank your activities according to how they might affect the ground water that provides your drinking water supply.
  • It will provide you with easy-to-understand rankings that will help you analyze the risk level of your fertilizer storage, handling, and disposal practices.
  • It will help you determine which of your practices are reasonably safe and effective, and which practices might require some modification to better protect your drinking water.

How do I complete the worksheet?

After reviewing the information provided, select Go To The Worksheet in links at the left. It should take you about 15 to 30 minutes to complete the worksheet and summarize your risk rankings.

Information derived from Home*A*Syst worksheets is intended only to provide general information and recommendations to rural residents regarding their own homestead practices. It is not the intent of this educational program to keep records of individual results.