With more oil tanks being located indoors and weather protection devices installed on outdoor tanks, Prince Edward Island saw a sharp decline in the number of oil spills in 2002.
Environment Minister Chester Gillan said PEI recorded 162 home heat tank oil spills last year, down from 262 in 2001. The 2002 figure was the lowest number of spills recorded since the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment started keeping statistics in 1990.
"I believe many Island homeowners have seen how devastating an oil spill can be, and they want to protect themselves and the environment against that," said Minister Gillan. "Spills from oil tanks are one of the most common causes of groundwater contamination. Just one litre of spilled oil can contaminate one million litres of drinking water, and in many cases 250 litres of oil seep into the ground before a spill is discovered. That is why it is so important for all of us to ensure that our oil tanks are properly installed and in good shape."
The 2002 home heat tank survey of 400 Island homes showed positive results on that front. There was a dramatic decline in the number of tanks that failed to meet provincial installation standards - from 61 per cent in 2001 to 40 last year. The survey, which was conducted by the Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment, also showed a 60 per cent increase in the number of inside installations compared to outside installations. That is significant because tanks located indoors are not subject to the temperature extremes that can cause condensation in outside tanks, which in turn reduces their lifespan.
Equally important for those who are unable to locate their oil tank inside is installing a weather protection device on outside tanks. One of the most effective means of protecting against an oil spill, these devices sit above the valve and product line vibration loop, helping to keep these vulnerable parts from being broken or damaged by the natural elements. Once again, the home heat tank survey showed that more and more Islanders are installing weather protection devices. In the 2000 survey, 10 per cent of outside tanks had weather protection devices. That figure reached 34 per cent in 2001, and 63 per cent in 2002.
Minister Gillan said he is hopeful the number of oil spills will continue to decline as the new home heat tank regulations are phased in over the next several years. The regulations help eliminate the most common causes of oil spills by ensuring that oil tanks are installed and inspected by licensed personnel and that tanks are replaced at a certain age. As of last fall, the regulations require that all tanks be installed by a licensed installer, and by 2006 all home heat tanks in the province must be inspected.
"While that is a few years away, I encourage Islanders to get their tanks inspected now. Not only will you avoid a last-minute rush, more importantly you will have the peace of mind knowing that your oil tank is in good shape and is not likely to leak."
Currently, just over 2,000 home heat tanks have been inspected and tagged. There are an estimated 45,000 tanks in the province.