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Such events should be reported as early as possible to the
Environment Agency (24 hours a day pollution hotline: 0800 80 70
60). In cases where there are potential human health implications,
our Environmental Protection team
should also be contacted. The earlier such incidents are reported
then the easier they can be dealt with.
A large number of events arise due to domestic heating oil
spills, such spills can be particularly problematic if heating oil
leaks into the ground and subsequently migrates beneath buildings
or into a watercourse. The former of these scenarios can result in
harmful vapours migrating upwards into buildings. In any case clean
up operations are likely to be less costly if they are completed
soon after the incident. Correct storage of heating oil can reduce
the likelihood of oil spills occurring.
The use of "double skinned" fuel tanks can reduce the risk of
tank failure. Tanks should also be placed on a flat level secure
base and contained within an impermeable bund with capacity for
110% of that which the tank can hold. The risk of oil being lost
from ancillary equipment such as pipework and valves is high and
this apparatus should therefore also be contained within a
secondary containment system. In some cases compliance will be
required with the (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001, these
maybe found within
Defra's guidance note for the control of pollution.
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