Underground storage tank leaks can cause a huge disturbance to your business not only because of the damage it causes to the environment but as well as the enormous costs associated with eventual clean-up. This is why it is essential to know the causes of leaks to prevent this from happening. When it comes to damage and repairs, underground storage tanks, regardless if it’s new service stations with modern double-walled, fiberglass tanks and lines with spill protection devices to old, abandoned, single-walled steel tanks and lines with no-spill protection devices may have leaks which can be prevented.
Below we outline four common causes of underground storage tank leaks:
STP Pumps
Submersible transfer pumps are used to pump the product from the tank to the dispenser. The fittings for these pumps rest on top of the tanks and the pump or manhole is built around the pump so that it can be reached for operation. Significant spills result from high-pressure leaks at the top of pumps.
Steel Tanks
Underground storage tanks are mostly made of steel, depending on the condition of the soil, some tanks last for many decades without corrosion, while other sites corrosion occurs within 10 years. New tanks have cathodic protection systems to avoid oxidation.
Leaking overfill and dispenser protection devices
Newer overfill and spill protection and detection work efficiently. But seals in these devices can dry out and crack in the process. The high concentration of ethanol in gasoline can cause the seal to be fragile and fail.
Other causes of leaks
Other causes of leaks include accidental circumstances such as drilling through tanks or lines during the process of construction or error made during maintenance. To add to that, there’s also the danger of dealing with individuals with criminal intentions to cause leaks on your underground storage tank.
Effects of UGT leaks:
Inventory Reconciliation
Inventory reconciliations can be complicated by problems that include differing amounts of product, multiple deliveries of product, and expansion and contraction of the huge number of products related to different temperatures of the product delivered and after it sits in the tanks.
Potable good impact
Product leaks can also migrate to groundwater sources and can have a harmful impact to other drinking water sources. Its initial impact can be detected by the taste and odor and indicate the level of contamination that exceeds the drinking water standards. When potable wells are detected to have been impacted, regulators look for adjoining properties with underground storage tanks.
It is essential to properly manage underground storage tanks to decrease the possibility of leaks. Try to run an inspection of spill buckets, overfill alarms, dispenser hoses and overfill response supplies as much as possible to prevent leaks from occurring. It is advised to create standard operating procedures to avoid product delivery errors and it is suggested to keep a record of all leak detection and corrosion performance tests with regards to the tank system. For more services such as tank testing and tank calibration that will help avoid underground storage tank leaks, TOIC Solutions provides the highest quality products and services to keep your gasoline station equipment clean and leak-free. Contact us now and we’ll take care of your service station.
