Oil Tanks - Oil tank warning from Environment Agency

08/10/2007

Businesses have been reminded to check their oil storage tanks for leaks or face heavy penalties if they are found to be polluting the environment.

Should businesses by found to be in breach of environmental legislation due to an oil tank leak, they could be subject to an unlimited fine, higher insurance premiums as well as being forced to pay for the cost of any clean-up operation.

Jeremy Hay, Environment Agency officer said, "With proper planning and maintenance much of the pollution caused by oil could be avoided, together with the high costs of clean-up and possible prosecution which can follow.

"We are keen to help businesses with the regulations and have lots of information and advice on how to store oil available to organisations from our web site or by phoning us. We can also advise on specific sites if required.

"We would far rather help companies store their oil correctly in the first place, than have to take enforcement action when things go wrong."

The Agency deals with an estimated 5,000 cases relating to oil pollution annually, of which a sizable proportion is due to faulty oil storage tanks.