By Katrina McDonnell, head of speciality fuels and services at Certas Energy

The introduction of new regulations for oil storage in Wales has shone a spotlight on the issue of pollution caused by poor fuel storage practices on farms and businesses across the country.

Every year in Wales there are up to 300 water pollution incidents caused by oil. However, with just 28 per cent of serious incidents being reported and research suggesting that one in ten farms have experienced a fuel spillage, the true scale of the issue is potentially much greater.

With farmers now facing fines of up to £5,000 for failing to have the right tank in place to prevent pollution, here’s how to ensure fuel is stored safely, securely and in compliance with the latest regulations.

What are the new oil storage regulations for Wales?

Measures to prevent leaks, bursts and spillages make up the core of the new regulations that come into force on March 15. While the new rules require all tanks to be strong enough to hold oils including petrol, diesel and heating oil without leaking or bursting, farms that store fuels in larger tanks must meet additional requirements.

All oil storage solutions over 200 litres must now feature a secondary containment system – or bund – to catch any oil leaking from the tank, its pipework or equipment. The bund must be impermeable to water and oil, and be able to contain at least 110 per cent of the tank’s maximum contents.

A tank’s valves, sight gauges, vent pipes and other ancillary equipment must be contained within the bund and locked when not in use in order to catch any leaking drops of oil. Dispensing taps must also be fitted with a lock and locked shut when not in use. Farmers must fit an automatic overfill prevention device to provide additional protection against spills.

Preparing for the new rules

If a farm’s tank was installed after March 15, no action is required as all tanks installed after this date must be compliant. However, farms that use single-skinned storage tanks over 200 litres will need to upgrade to avoid a fine.

Preventing water pollution on farms

Regular tank maintenance is key to preventing pollution and disruption. It’s recommended that farms perform a weekly tank health check for peace of mind that fuel is stored safely.

First, inspect the area around the tank. Make sure it is well lit and that all foliage is cut back. There should also be a spill kit close to the tank that includes commercial sorbent products.

Moving on to the tank, ensure that it is watertight and check for any cracks and leaks. Test valves, filters, gauges and locks to ensure they remain functional. If anything seems amiss during tank checks, call an Oftec-registered engineer to perform a full inspection.

Dealing with a fuel spill

Unfortunately, accidents can still happen even if farms take every precaution. If a spillage occurs, the priority is to prevent the oil from getting into any sources of water. Soak up the oil with a spill kit – don’t hose it down or use detergents, as this could make the problem worse. Make sure any contaminated materials are stored in oil containers until they can be properly disposed of.

Then call 0800 80 70 60 to notify the Environment Agency of the spill.

Certas Energy has developed a dedicated webpage to help farmers store fuel safely, securely and in compliance with the new regulations.

Visit certasenergy.co.uk/my-business/wales-oil-storage-regs for more information.