Fuel leaks and spills can affect the quality of ground water and the quality of the surrounding environment. This can be detrimental to crops and livestock that graze in the area.
An undetected leak from a UST has a much greater chance to contaminate the environment. As a result, UST facilities are potentially much more environmentally damaging than AST facilities. Underground leaks are much more difficult and expensive to detect.
While spills can occur during tank filling and fuel dispensing, leaks can originate in the tank, piping, and fittings. Piping and fittings for USTs are subject to stresses caused by shifting and changing environmental conditions. This increases the chance of a leak in USTs.
For an AST facility with secondary containment, leaking fuel can be collected and pumped to a proper storage facility or container. Underground leaks must first be detected and then located before clean-up can begin. Such clean-up can be expensive, time consuming, and may involve soil excavation and water treatment.
The owner or operator of a fuel storage facility, with ASTs or USTs, is responsible and liable for the clean-up of a spill or leak. This liability extends to tanks that may not be covered by state and federal rules and regulations.
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