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Outside Heating Oil Tanks

Wise Words from Tom the Spill Responder
Tom Varney with above oil tank in the background with a filter protector

"Every year in Miane frost heaves and falling ice and snow cause hundreds of oil spills from outside heating oil tanks. I've seen the mess thye make of backyards, basements and wells. Clean up means lots of digging once the snow melts. Property values fall. Costs mount up. So, protect yourself. Talk to your oil dealer about installing a simple filter protector...and about mounting your tank on a regulation slab. It's worth it".

Home Heating Oil Fact Sheet

  • Because of the heavy snow fall last winter the DEP responded to over 500 spills from home heating oil tanks at single family homes.
  • The average over the last 6 years has been one home heating oil tank spill a day.
  • The minimum cost to the homeowner is a $500 deductible as part of the Groundwater Fund Insurance Fund Program.
  • The cost of a filter protector is approximately $50.
  • Spill clean-up can be very disruptive if your yard has to be dug up to get to contaminated soil or if petroleum vaports get into your basement or house.
  • If your outside tank looks as bad as the one in our TV ad or is over 25 years old, it's time to think about replacing it next Spring and installing it on an approved slab and foundation.

    No filter protector for aboveground oil tank

    Bad Photo - No Filter Protector

    Aboveground oil tank with no slab or foundation

    No Slab or Foundation

    Good slab or Foundation for aboveground oil tank

    Good Slab Foundation