United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
EPA/530/UST-88/004
December 1988
Oh No!
-------
OH NO!
PETROLEUM LEAKS AND SPILLS:
WHAT Do You Do?
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
December 1988
><-• Cental Protection
' -•.i.-'ary (5PL-13)
•i-Kcn Street, L-ooiD 1
': S0604
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose Of Brochure 1
Quick Overview Of Actions 4-5
Why Worry About Leaks And Spills 6
Reporting Requirements 8
Detecting Leaks And Spills 9
Cleaning Up 11
Where To Go For More Information 15
Technical Questions And Answers 16
Videos, Brochures, And Handbooks On USTs 21
Acknowledgement
The text of this brochure was prepared for EPA's Office of
Underground Storage Tanks by Heidi Schultz under contract to
ICF Incorporated. Cartoons illustrating the text were drawn by
Art Wood under contract to ICF Incorporated.
-------
PAGE1
PETROLEUM LEAKS AND SPILLS:
WHAT DO YOU DO ...?
If you think you have a petroleum leak, spill, or overfill at
your site, this brochure can help you decide what to do.
Please be aware that it describes only requirements that apply
generally; it does not tell you what specific Federal, State, or
local requirements apply to you. State and local regulations
may require that you do more than Federal regulations, so
check with your State and local officials. For the most part,
however, you will find that the information in this brochure is
consistent with the regulations you must follow.
Special note: Because spills and overfills
share many similarities, they are referred to
throughout this brochure only by one name,
"spills."
-------
PAGE 2
IF YOU HAVE NO TIME TO LOSE.
-------
PAGE:
...TURN THE PAGE FOR A QUICK OVERVIEW
OF WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.
-------
PAGE 4
Here is a quick
summary of what you should do.
Act on Potential Dangers
Evacuate the area immediately if there is danger of fire
or explosion from leaked or spilled petroleum (or
resulting vapors).
Do not smoke, and extinguish all open flames in the
area (but do not use water to do so). Remember to
look around the site for electrical equipment in the area
and turn it off. Any source of heat or sparks can
cause an explosion.
Call your local fire department and ask officials there
to test for explosive conditions. Fire officials have
special testing equipment for this purpose, and they can
also help you decide what to do next (for example, vent
poisonous vapors, remove flammable liquids).
Report the Leak or Spill
Report all underground leaks. Report any amount of
petroleum which leads to a visible sheen on a water
surface. Report 25 gallons or more (or the number of
gallons specified by your State or local government).
If you are not sure of the amount, report it.
For all reporting: contact State or local officials (such
as your county health or fire department) as soon as
possible. Or call your State environmental protection
agency. Many State governments have toll free (800)
telephone numbers for reporting spills.
Find the Source (If You
Don't Already Know)
Pinpoint the source of the leak or spill. Use your
senses — nose as well as eyes — and remember to check
for liquids as well as vapors. Also check whether your
pumps are working right.
Bring in professionals to test for tank or pipe leaks. If
necessary, excavate pipelines and tanks.
-------
PAGES
Stop the Leak or Contain
the Spill
Don't put any more petroleum into the tank. If a piping
leak is the culprit, do not use the suspect pump!
Don't wash spilled petroleum into the sewer because
sewers can ignite as well.
Use an absorbent material (such as cat litter) to stop the
leaked petroleum from spreading. Watch out espe-
cially for nearby sewer lines, basements, or septic
tanks.
Call in professionals to safely collect and remove as
much petroleum from the leaking tank or piping as
necessary to minimize further contamination of the
environment.
Begin Cleanup
Check with your State or local government on how to
go about cleaning up a leak or spill.
Contact professionals to help you determine the extent
of contamination, prepare a cleanup plan, and clean up
the site.
Keep detailed records of the actions you have taken or
plan to take and inform State or local officials.
-------
PAGE 6
WHY WORRY ABOUT LEAKS AND SPILLS?
Because your tank or its piping
may leak. As many as 25 percent
of all underground storage tanks
(USTs) may now be leaking. Many
more will leak in the near future,
possibly including yours. Your
tank or its piping might be leaking
right now. If a tank system is past
its prime (over 10 years old),
especially if it's not protected
against corrosion, the potential for
leaking increases dramatically.
Newer tank systems (especially the
piping) can also leak, and spills can
happen anytime. Don't let your
profits drain away.
Because it's the law. But it's the
law for good reason. Much of our
country depends on ground water
for drinking water, and leaked or
spilled petroleum can contaminate
this vital resource. Explosions are
another potential hazard. Many
State and local governments,
therefore, already require specific
steps to prevent, detect, or clean up
leaks and spills. Others will soon
have similar requirements. Check
with your local and State
governments to learn what
requirements apply to you.
Because it's in your best
interest. Leaking UST sites can
be very costly to clean up.
Imagine how much money you'd
lose if your tank could not be
used for weeks during lengthy
cleanups or if local residents
sued you for property damages.
The costs can run into the
thousands, perhaps as much as
$100,000 and more. Detect and
clean up spills or leaks - before
they hurt you financially.
Because it's for the good of the
community and the
environment. Leaks and spills
can have serious consequences.
Petroleum can contaminate soil,
drinking water supplies, and air.
Petroleum and its resulting
vapors can also accumulate in
nearby confined spaces, such as
septic tanks, sewers, and the
basements of homes. These
vapors are poisonous and can
cause a fire or explosion.
-------
PAGE?
IF YOU HAVE TIME TO READ FURTHER ...
The rest of this brochure provides a more detailed
discussion of the actions outlined in the "quick
overview" on pages 4-5. It does not include more
details on determining if there is a danger, or on
stopping the leak or containing the spill, because the
essential information you need to know is described in
the overview. Remember, don't try to handle the
situation alone. Call State or local officials and other
experienced professionals to help.
-------
PAGES
What Leaks or Spills Do
You Have to Report?
You must report all underground leaks. You must
immediately contain and clean up all surface spills. You
must report certain size spills, so check your State and
local requirements to be sure. In general, here's what
you should do when you have a leak or spill.
How and When Do You
Have to Report?
In addition to telephoning your State or local
government as soon as possible, you may also be
required to fill out a written leak or spill report.
Again, check with State or local officials for specific
requirements.
Within 20 days of finding a leak (check with your
State or local government on the exact timing), you
must summarize in a written report (or over the
telephone) the initial cleanup steps you took, along
with your plans for future action. You might
describe, for example, how you stopped the leak,
eliminated fire and safety hazards, determined the
extent of soil saturated with petroleum, and found out
whether petroleum had seeped into ground water.
If petroleum has saturated the soil or seeped into
ground water, you may have to submit a plan for how
you will remove the leaked petroleum. This plan
must be submitted to your State or local government
within a specified time, usually 45 days. Before
submitting your plan, consult with professionals who
can help you determine what steps to take to contain
and recover the leaked petroleum.
-------
PAGE 9
How Can You Detect a
Leak or Spill?
Some leaks and spills can't be overlooked, like the
ruptured pipeline that squirts petroleum up to the
surface of the ground or into a nearby stream, or the
truck hose that spills petroleum onto the ground after
filling a tank. However, many leaks and spills are
often hidden, occur quietly, and can go unnoticed for
long periods of time. You need to pinpoint the source.
Use your own senses
The most obvious way to discover evidence of leaks or
spills is by using your senses.
Can you see a petroleum sheen on the surface of
water in nearby ponds or streams? Can you see
evidence of spills around your fill port, particularly
after deliveries are made? Is soil near your
underground tank system saturated with petroleum?
Can you smell an unusually strong petroleum odor
coming from soil or water around your station? Do
neighbors complain of a petroleum odor in or
around their homes - such as in nearby sewer lines
or basements? (Sometimes these odors become
more evident after a major rainfall.)
Has anyone complained of a strange taste in the
drinking water that could be related to petroleum
contamination?
-------
PAGE 10
Check for unusual
operating conditions at the
pump
Do you hear a rattling sound in your suction pump,
and is petroleum flowing unevenly from the pump?
Does the pump hesitate more than usual before
dispensing petroleum?
Is petroleum dispensing more slowly than normal?
Some tank systems have devices (such as Red
Jackets) that monitor the pressurized lines
connecting tanks and pumps. When these devices
detect a loss of pressure in the line (an indication
that your line may be leaking), they slow the flow of
petroleum to the pump.
Do you have water in your tank? While a small
amount of water in a tank is usual due to
condensation from the air, an increase over a period
of days or weeks may indicate that water is leaking
into your tank. And if water can leak in, petroleum
may be able to leak out.
Check your inventory and
perform a tank tightness
test
Until you install a leak detection device or
monitoring wells for your tank system, or have your
system tested, the next best way to identify large
leaks is to check and reconcile your product
inventory routinely. For this method to work,
careful measurements, bookkeeping and inventory
procedures are essential. If you don't already check
your product inventory, start now. The further back
your inventory records go, the more useful they will
be.
If your inventory check reveals a difference between
the amount of petroleum you thought you had and
the amount you actually have, double-check your
calculations and keep a close watch on the situation.
You should consider a tank test if your inventory
control continues to suggest a leak, because the
problem could also be explained by factors other
than a leak (such as theft, short deliveries, errors in
measurement, or faulty calculations). You'll want to
make sure the inventory discrepancy truly indicates
aleak.
-------
PAGE 11
If a genuine inventory discrepancy continues, you
must use a tank tightness test or another leak
detection technique to confirm the leak. Several
techniques are commercially available and reliable
if conducted by qualified experts and according to
the manufacturer's instructions. (For more detail
please refer to the "Technical Questions &
Answers" section starting on page 16.)
Excavate pipelines or tanks
In addition to checking inventory records and
performing tank tests, some State governments may
require that you excavate the soil surrounding the
tank or piping to look for evidence of petroleum--
such as stained or saturated soils or strong odors.
High levels of petroleum vapors in the excavation
area indicate a leak or spill has occurred recently.
Even if it is not a requirement in your State, you
might want to excavate surrounding soil to pinpoint
the exact location of a leak.
How Do You Decide What
Needs to Be Cleaned Up?
State and local officials will most likely require that
you check the site to determine how much petroleum
escaped, what damages resulted, and how to proceed
with cleanup. You should hire an experienced
professional (see page 16 for information) to conduct
this investigation. In addition to the methods for
discovering leaks and spills described earlier, contrac-
tors may use sophisticated methods to collect and
analyze data from soil, soil gas, or ground-water
samples. They are also skilled in understanding how
site topography, drainage and the location of sewers
can affect the movement of the released petroleum.
Before proceeding, ask State and local officials for
advice on reducing potential hazards (such as inhaling
vapors from contaminated soils) that may occur during
the investigation.
-------
PAGE 12
Begin Cleanup
If a site check shows that a release has occurred you
must begin cleanup. Many techniques are available for
cleaning up leaks and spills -- such as using sorbents
(cat litter, for example), removing the soil, and treating
the soil and water onsite or belowground. You may
need to use more than one of these techniques, espe-
cially if soil, air, and water have all been contaminated.
Again, you will need the advice of professionals. This
brochure does not discuss how the various cleanup
methods work and when they should be used, although
several techniques are briefly described in the "Techni-
cal Questions & Answers" section starting on page 16.
-------
PAGE 13
Are you done?
TOUCHY?
Maybe, but not necessarily. Remember, your job may
not be finished after the initial cleanup. Even if
you've stopped the leak or contained the spill, you
may have to do more. Small amounts of petroleum in
the soil can be cleaned up fairly easily and inexpen-
sively. However, cleaning up soaked or saturated soils
or contaminated ground water will take longer. You'll
also need help from professionals because improper
removal can spread contamination, making it harder to
clean up soil or ground water. Check with State and
local officials and ground-water professionals to
determine what methods are best for your situation.
Some methods are described in the ' 'Technical
Questions & Answers" section starting on page 16.
If a site check shows that contaminated soils or petro-
leum have come in contact with ground water, or if
drinking water supplies have been affected, a more
extensive investigation will be needed to determine the
full extent and location of all contamination. (Again,
you will need to use professionals to perform this
investigation.) Once you have this information in
hand, consult with State or local officials. They will
help you prepare a plan for cleaning up the site, if
necessary.
-------
PAGE 14
Prepare cleanup plans Under Federal and most State and local regulations,
you must report the initial cleanup actions you have
already taken as well as the future actions you plan to
take to protect people's health and the environment.
Your cleanup plan must explain how you will:
• Clean up the soil, ground water, and nearby surface
water.
• Provide, for as long as necessary, alternative
drinking water to individuals whose water supply
has been contaminated.
• Remove, to the extent possible, any petroleum that
migrated through the soil and reached the ground
water.
Professionals can assist you in preparing cleanup
plans. For more information on what to ask or require
of professionals and contractors, see the "Technical
Questions & Answers" section on page 16.
-------
PAGE 15
Keep records
PETA\LEP
RECORPS
Keep detailed records of all your cleanup actions.
Your State and local governments will also want to
know what you plan to do with the recovered petro-
leum, the contaminated soil, or the contaminated
ground water. Be sure to keep them informed of your
cleanup actions.
Where Can You Get More
Information on Respond-
ing to Leaks or Spills?
Contact your State or local environmental protection
agency. For general information concerning only the
Federal requirements, you can also call the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency's toll-free RCRA/
CERCLA Hotline (1-800-424-9346; in Washington,
D.C., 202-382-3000).
-------
PAGE 16
TECHNICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: How do you go about
finding reliable technical
professionals and
contractors?
A: Professionals can assist you in preparing cleanup
plans, conducting tests and site investigations, and
performing actual cleanup operations. You can
identify these professionals by consulting State and
local environmental agencies and directories. To
select from among the available companies, ask each
prospective firm the following questions:
• How long has the firm been in business?
• What types of services can the company provide
and at what cost?
• Is the firm financially secure?
• Does the firm have sufficiently trained staff, or will
it rely on subcontracts or other arrangements to
provide qualified personnel?
• Does the firm have a reputation for quality work
and integrity? Ask the firm for client references
and try to check the company's credentials.
• Has the contractor or technical professional
successfully completed other, similar projects to the
satisfaction of the clients? (Review previous site
investigation reports or other work performed by
the firm.)
Before letting a company start work for you, be sure to
evaluate their knowledge and experience. Look for a
company with a proven track record.
-------
Q: What is the best way to
determine if your tank or
piping is leaking?
A: If you have reason to suspect that a tank or
pipeline is leaking (based on the results of a leak
detection method, poor pump performance, or other
signs), you should bring in a professional to perform a
tank tightness test. The test involves filling the tank
with product until a certain level or pressure is reached
and then monitoring the fluid level for several hours.
If a significant loss in volume is measured, even after
corrections have been made to allow for other possible
factors that could cause a volume change (such as
temperature), the tank or piping probably is leaking.
Piping is most frequently the source of leaks and
should be tested separately.
The best way to ensure you get a high quality test is to
make sure the tester you use has clearly defined
procedures for testing and that those procedures are
closely followed. Performance of any method is
improved by increasing the time between filling the
tank and beginning the test (including "topping off"
for the test), by increasing testing time, by taking
frequent readings, and by carefully compensating for
temperature variations in the tank. The total test time,
including the waiting period, should take from 12 to 24
hours to ensure accurate results.
Q: How can you tell if
petroleum has seeped into
soil or ground water?
A: Several tests can be performed outside of the tank
to confirm if petroleum has leaked into the environ-
ment:
• Soil gas analysis. This method tests for vapors
from petroleum that has leaked to the soil. Vapors
can be withdrawn from soil in the excavation area
by probing, taking borings, or burying special
sampling probes in the soil for days or weeks. The
withdrawn vapors are analyzed for petroleum
contamination. High levels of petroleum vapors
indicate a need for further investigation.
• Ground-water monitoring wells. Monitoring
wells are often used to detect the movement of
petroleum in the ground. Monitoring wells should
be located as close to the tank system as possible.
Ground-water samples can be collected from the
-------
PAGE 18
well and checked for the presence of leaked
petroleum. Petroleum can also be detected by
inserting a specially-coated dipstick into the
monitoring well. If the coating changes color,
petroleum is in the well.
Q: How can you remove
product that has reached the
ground water?
A: There are several ways to remove petroleum that is
floating on ground water. The most common tech-
niques involve digging trenches or using pumping
wells. Trenches are dug to intercept the flow of
petroleum-contaminated ground water. Pumping wells
create cone-shaped depressions on the water table that
draw product and contaminated ground water toward
the well. Once enough floating petroleum has accumu-
lated in a depression or trench, it can be recovered from
the ground water with skimmers, separators, and
pumps. Check with professionals to determine which
method is best for your site, because improper removal
of floating petroleum can extend the contamination.
Q: How should you go
about cleaning up a teak or
spill?
A: Several techniques can be used to clean up leaks
and spills:
1. Containing Spills
• Sorbents. Sorbents are natural materials (such as
straw, sawdust, or clay particles like cat litter) or
synthetic products (such as foam) that are spread
over a spill to absorb it Any sorbent you use must
be capable of absorbing the spill, and should not
react with the petroleum to form toxic substances or
hazardous fumes.
2. Treating or Disposing of Soil
• Excavation of tanks and soil. At present, the most
widely used cleanup technique for petroleum leaks
is to excavate the leaking tank and any significantly
contaminated soils. The tank is then repaired or
disposed of properly. The contaminated soil can, in
some cases, be treated on site, or it may be
transported to a landfill.
-------
PAGE 19
Soil removal is a quick and effective first step for
removing small amounts of leaked or spilled
petroleum before it reaches ground water. Removal
of contaminated soil is possible, particularly if the
petroleum has penetrated just below the surface.
Any soil that is removed should be handled
properly, and in accordance with State or local
regulations.
• Evaporation. The sun and wind can rapidly change
leaked petroleum into a vapor that is taken up by the
air. Evaporation can be enhanced by simply turning
or mixing the contaminated soils, thereby increasing
exposure of the petroleum to the atmosphere. Use
of this technique may be prohibited by local air
pollution rules.
• Belowground(in situ) treatments. In situ (i.e., in
place) treatments reduce the amount of
contamination below ground or limit its spread by
treating the contamination in place. Although in situ
methods can be used to break down petroleum in
both soils and ground water, these techniques are not
now widely used for ground-water cleanup. One in
situ method injects nutrients into the soil so that
naturally occurring bacteria that break down
petroleum become more active. The bacteria
consume contaminants as part of their growth
process. Another method, soil venting, reduces the
amount of contamination in the soil by actively
pumping gasoline vapors. Special pumps or vent
pipes are inserted into the ground to draw out
vapors. Check with State or local authorities before
using any in situ treatment as certain regulations
may apply.
3. Collecting and Removing Liquid Petroleum
• Trenching. In those cases where ground water is
near the surface, ditches, trenches, or pits may be
dug to control the flow of contaminated ground
water and allow floating petroleum to be recovered.
Petroleum-water separators or hand-held skimmers,
which are much like sophisticated vacuum cleaners
with sensors, may be used to separate and remove
the petroleum from the water. Trenching may be
used as the primary cleanup method or as a
supplement to other methods.
-------
PAGE20
• Pump and Treatment Technologies. Various
pumping systems, such as dual pumps, may be used
to recover petroleum that has migrated through soil
and reached ground water. As the name ' 'dual
pump'' implies, two pumps are used to recover the
petroleum. One pump is located below the ground-
water table and below the zone of contamination.
Clean ground water is pumped out, thereby creating
a cone or depression into which the petroleum
flows. A second pump transfers the petroleum to
the surface where it is collected. Once the
petroleum-water mixture is brought to the surface, a
device separates the petroleum from the water.
After separation, the petroleum can be put into
drums or pumped into trucks for further treatment
and reuse.
4. Cleaning Ground Water
To begin cleaning ground water you must first dig a
well and pump out the ground water. Then one or
both of the following cleaning methods can be used.
• Air stripping. In this process, ground water
contaminated with petroleum is mixed with air.
The mixing process removes the dissolved
petroleum from the water by transferring it to the
air. There are many air stripping processes. They
can be used alone (often with carbon filters) or with
other methods for effective results. Again, local air
pollution rules may prohibit using this technique.
• Carbon Absorption. In this technique, particles of
carbon are used to remove chemical compounds
from water. Carbon absorption is widely used for
cleaning ground water.
-------
PAGE 21
VIDEOS, BROCHURES, AND HANDBOOKS ON USTS
Videos...
Installation • Order these videos from:
National Fire Protection Association
Attn: Jim Smalley
Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269
Available for purchase only, $22.85 each, prepaid.
"A Question of When: Tank Installation for
Inspectors"
"In Your Own Backyard"
• Order this video from:
American Petroleum Institute
1220 L Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20005
Petroleum Equipment Institute
Box 2380
Tulsa, OK 74101
Available for purchase only, $16.00, prepaid.
"Doing It Right"
-------
PAGE 22
Closure
• Order this video from:
New England Interstate Water
Pollution Control Commission
Attn: VIDEOS
85 Merrimac Street
Boston, MA 02114
Video and companion booklet available for pur-
chase, $25.00, prepaid.
Booklet only, $5.00, prepaid, or
• Order from:
New England Regional Wastewater Institute
Two Fort Road
South Portland, ME 04106
Video and companion booklet available for loan,
$5.00, prepaid.
"Tank Closure Without Tears: An Inspector's
Safety Guide"
Brochures...
Technical Requirements
Financial Responsibility
Leak Detection
• These brochures may be ordered from:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
P.O. Box 6044
Rockville, MD 20850
"Musts for USTs" -- Summary of the
Regulations for Underground Storage
Tank Systems
"Dollars and Sense" -- A Summary of the Finan-
cial Responsibility Regulations for Underground
Storage Tank Systems
"Leak Lookout" ~ Using External Leak Detectors
to Prevent Petroleum Contamination from Under-
ground Storage Tanks
-------
PAGE 23
Handbooks...
State Guidance • These handbooks may be ordered from:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Underground Storage Tanks
P.O. Box 6044
Rockville, MD 20850
"Financial Assurance Programs: A Handbook for
States"
"Funding Options for State and Local
Governments"
"Underground Storage Tanks: Building State UST
Compliance Programs"
Stock No. 055-000-00272-0, $7.50 prepaid.
Technology • This handbook may be ordered from:
Superintendent of Documents
Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402
"Cleanup of Releases from Petroleum USTs: Se-
lected Technologies"
------- |