Publications
Mississippi Farm-A-SystStoring Petroleum Products
Before Completing Your Self-Assessment
This self-assessment is an important part of the Farm-A-Syst program. This voluntary program helps you evaluate conditions on your farm that could threaten the quality of your drinking water and water quality in streams, rivers, and other sources. The information on this page tells you why it is important to store petroleum products properly for water quality, health, environmental, and legal reasons. Read it carefully before completing this self-assessment.This self-assessment is one in a series of voluntary environmental self-assessments in the Farm-A-Syst program. For a more complete picture of activities or conditions on your farm that could affect water quality, review other Farm-A-Syst and Home-A-Syst environmental self-assessments, available at your county Extension office.
Your responses to this self-assessment are for your use. Although completing it is voluntary, taking a few minutes to respond may help you identify potential areas on your farm that could lead to water quality problems. You may find it useful to involve your spouse and/or children in completing your self-assessment. If you need other help or follow-up information, contact your county Extension office.
Why You Should Be Concerned
Petroleum fuels contain harmful substances known to cause health problems. To reduce the chances of leaks and spills and to protect water quality, human health, and the environment, use proper methods when handling, using, and storing diesel fuel, gasoline, kerosene, or other petroleum products.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly one in four under-ground petroleum storage tanks in the United States may be leaking. Under-ground tanks more than 20 years old with no rust protection are more likely to leak. A leak in an under-ground tank may not be discovered until groundwater is contaminated. Seeping fuel from an unused under-ground tank and leaks or spills around an above-ground tank are risks to water quality. A leaking petroleum storage tank may also produce vapors that could explode.
Frequent small fuel spills around a well when refueling farm equipment may be reason for concern. Even though the smell and taste of the water may appear normal, just a small amount of fuel can pollute a well and the drinking water of many people. A petroleum spill can move rapidly into the soil and quickly contaminate drinking water. Petroleum storage problems can also affect the sale of a farm or getting a farm loan.
A Word About Regulations
Some petroleum storage tanks are regulated by federal and state laws, which apply to installing new tanks, modifying existing tanks, and closing or removing unused under-ground tanks. Currently, under-ground petroleum storage tanks holding 1,100 gallons or more and above-ground tanks holding 660 gallons (1,320 gallons in a combination of tanks) or more are regulated in Mississippi. Farm and residential storage tanks holding less amounts and used to store noncommercial motor fuel are not regulated. Because laws may change, contact the agencies listed on the back cover for updated information. Also, check locally for other laws or codes concerning petroleum storage.
New under-ground petroleum storage tanks subject to regulations must meet requirements for proper construction, location, corrosion and spill protection, over-fill prevention, and leak detection when installed. Under-ground tanks installed before December 1988 that do not meet regulations must be modified by December 1998 to meet corrosion, overfill, and spill protection requirements, and by December 1993 to meet leak detection requirements. Unused underground tanks subject to regulations should be closed or removed by a certified remover.
Above-ground tanks subject to regulations are required to have a catch basin or other spill containment large enough to hold the volume of the largest tank plus anticipated rainfall to prevent overflow. A written plan, approved by a professional engineer, showing steps to take in case of a spill also is required for above-ground petroleum storage tanks subject to regulations. For information on controlling a petroleum spill or to report a spill of any hazardous product, contact the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality at (601) 961-5171 or (601) 352-9100.
Even if a petroleum storage facility on your farm is not subject to regulations, follow recommended handling and storage procedures to protect water quality, the environment, and for legal reasons in case of a leak or spill. Regularly check fuel use or the fuel level in an under-ground tank for possible leaks.
Store petroleum products in approved containers and in a well-ventilated area. Refuel equipment on a concrete or hard surface and as far as possible from a well or water source. Contain any petroleum leaks or spills immediately, and make sure others use petroleum products safely. Locate a new petroleum storage facility at least 100 feet from a well or water source, and downhill if possible.
Understanding Your Self-Assessment
Your drinking water and other water sources are least likely to be contaminated by petroleum products if you use as many low-risk practices as you can reasonably follow. As you complete your self-assessment, do not be alarmed if you check several or even many high-risk statements. This does not automatically mean your farm has water-quality problems. It could, however, tell you that attention may be needed to avoid problems. For more information, contact your county Extension office.Directions
This self-assessment is a series of three-part statements, each with a low, medium, and high ranking. This ranking relates to the level of risk to drinking water quality or other environmental risks associated with that activity or condition. First, read all statements in each set; then check the ranking that best describes conditions on your farm. Remember, this self-assessment is for your information, and your goal is to apply as many low-risk practices as you can.Level of risk
Low ( ) The petroleum storage area on your farm is more than 100 feet downhill from a well or any water source and more than 50 feet from a building.Medium ( ) The petroleum storage area on your farm is at least 100 feet from, and on grade with, a well or water source, and 25 to 50 feet from a building.
High ( ) The petroleum storage area on your farm is less than 100 feet from, and on grade with or uphill from, a well or water source, or 10 feet or less from a building.
Low ( ) All petroleum-powered equipment is re-fueled on a concrete or hard surface and more than 100 feet from a well or any water source. Spills are cleaned up immediately.
Medium ( ) Petroleum-powered equipment is refueled on a dirt surface and at least 100 feet from a well or water source. Spills are usually cleaned up.
High ( ) Petroleum-powered equipment is refueled on a gravel or dirt surface, or less than 100 feet from a well or water source. Spills are frequent and often not cleaned up.
Low ( ) Any individual on your farm who handles petroleum products is trained and/or supervised to make sure products are used safely.
Medium ( ) You, or another trained person, are usually around to give help or advice to an untrained person who handles petroleum products.
High ( ) An untrained person frequently uses petroleum products without advice, training, or supervision.
Low ( ) All hoses, valves, pumps, piping, and other petroleum-dispensing equipment are checked regularly and are in good condition with no leaks.
Medium ( ) Hoses, valves, pumps, piping, and other dispensing equipment are checked occasionally and are in good condition.
High ( ) Hoses, valves, pumps, piping, and other dispensing equipment are seldom checked, or any dispensing equipment leaks petroleum products.
Low ( ) The petroleum storage tank on your farm was installed by a person certified by the state to install and repair petroleum tanks.
Medium ( ) The petroleum storage tank on your farm was installed according to recommendations by the seller, or no information is available on how the tank was installed.
High ( ) Your petroleum storage tank was installed by an untrained person, or without backfill, spill containment, anchors, or other protection.
Low ( ) If your farm has an above-ground petroleum storage tank(s), it has a concrete, metal, or synthetic catch basin that can hold all petroleum spills and rainfall with no overflow.
Medium ( ) An above-ground petroleum storage tank(s) on your farm has a soil dike large enough to hold all spills.
High ( ) An above-ground petroleum storage tank(s), subject to regulations, has no catch basin or a catch basin too small to hold spills.
Low ( ) If your farm has an above-ground petroleum storage tank, it is enclosed by a 6-foot high metal fence with a lock, or it is in a fire-resistant building.
Medium ( ) An above-ground petroleum storage tank on your farm is enclosed by a low fence that is kept locked.
High ( ) An above-ground tank on your farm is not enclosed, or it is enclosed with an unlocked fence and is accessible to children or activities.
Low ( ) You have a written, detailed plan approved by a professional engineer showing steps to be taken in case of a petroleum spill or emergency.
Medium ( ) You have a general idea of what to do or whom to call in case of a petroleum spill or other emergency concerning petroleum products on your farm.
High ( ) You have no plan of what to do in case of a petroleum spill, or no spill protection plan is in place for an above-ground petroleum storage tank subject to regulations.
Low ( ) If your farm has an under-ground petroleum storage tank, it is rust-proof fiberglass or a newer steel tank specially protected against rust.
Medium ( ) An under-ground petroleum storage tank on your farm is made of steel and coated with an approved material and is less than 20 years old.
High ( ) An under-ground petroleum storage tank on your farm is bare steel and more than 20 years old, or an under-ground tank subject to regulations has no protection against corrosion or spills.
Low ( ) If your farm has an under-ground petroleum storage tank, it is checked once a month for leaks or unexplained loss of fuel. You have the tank tested yearly for tightness.
Medium ( ) An under-ground petroleum storage tank on your farm is checked about once a year for leaks and tested every 3 years for tightness.
High ( ) An under-ground petroleum storage tank is never checked for leaks or tested, or an under-ground tank subject to regulations cannot be checked for leaks.
Low ( ) If your farm has an unused under-ground petroleum storage tank, it is removed or closed in place by a certified person. The soil around the tank is checked for possible contamination.
Medium ( ) An unused under-ground petroleum storage tank on your farm is filled with concrete, sand, or other material. The soil around the tank is checked for petroleum leaks.
High ( ) An unused under-ground petroleum storage tank subject to regulations is left unfilled in the ground. No checks are made for possible contamination.
Items in bold type may be subject to regulations as described previously in this publication.
For more information
Petroleum storage regulations (under-ground tanks)
Mississippi Department of Environmental QualityOffice of Pollution Control
P. O. Box 10385
Jackson, MS 39289-0385
(601) 961-5171
Petroleum storage regulations (above-ground tanks)
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region IVEmergency Response and Removal Branch
345 Courtland St. NE
Atlanta, GA 30365
(404) 347-3931
To remove or close an unused under-ground tank
A licensed removeror
Mississippi Department
of Environmental Quality
(see above address)
To control or report a petroleum spill
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality(see above address)
For more information on storage of petroleum products, contact your county Extension office.
This publication is based on work by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Extension Service, under special project number 90-EHUA-1-0014.
By Dr. Jimmy Bonner, Farm-A-Syst program coordinator, Energy Extension Center, in cooperation with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.
Publication 1979
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S.
Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress,
May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director
Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.
This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service.