With the large accumulation of snow on the ground and mild temperatures and rain in the forecast this week, Island homeowners are being advised to take steps to protect outside oil tanks.
Minister of Environment and Energy Jamie Ballem said Islanders can help prevent a costly oil spill by simply taking time to carefully clear away snow and ice that has accumulated around oil lines, filters and valves.
“The milder temperatures this week, combined with rain, will make the snow heavier and heavier. If that weight rests on the fuel line, it can cause the line to snap, leaking hundreds of litres of oil into the ground.”
Minister Ballem said an oil spill can leave the homeowner with a costly cleanup bill and irreversible environmental damage. Oil leaks are one of the most common causes of groundwater contamination. Just one litre of oil can contaminate up to one million litres of drinking water.
Once homeowners have cleared the snow and ice from around their oil tanks, Minister Ballem said the department recommends they install a weather protection device to help prevent further buildup of snow and protect against falling icicles or chunks of snow and ice.
Weather protection devices are usually made of welded steel, sheet metal or solid wood. They sit over the filter and product line, helping to keep these vulnerable parts from being broken off or damaged by heavy snow and falling ice. The vibration loop in the fuel line should be located under the weather protection device. This loop allows for tank movement with frost heaves. If the vibration loop is not protected, homeowners are advised to carefully dig it out.
Since June 2001, weather protection devices have been mandatory on all new outside tank installations; and they will be mandatory for all existing outside tanks by September 2006.
“Rather than wait for that deadline, I would ask homeowners with outside oil tanks to consider installing a weather protection device today. They are one of the most effective means of protecting against an oil spill,” said Minister Ballem.
For further information on home heat tank safety, Island homeowners can contact the Department of Environment and Energy at (902) 368-5042.