Understanding the Risks of Not Removing an Old Oil Tank

Heating oil tanks have been in existence in residential and commercial buildings as the storage of the oil. However, the newer technologies and ever-changing regulations mean that the older underground oil tanks present a lot of hazards if not addressed or removed appropriately. Neglecting an old oil tank entails the following risks: severe environmental degradation, legal disputes, and fines. This blog post discusses several dangers of failure to remove the old oil tank and explains why proactive oil tank removal NJ is important for property owners.

Environmental Risks

First and foremost, one of the most critical issues regarding old oil tanks is their contribution to environmental concerns. Unfortunately, oil tanks, particularly the underground ones, are prone to corrosion and general degradation over time. This can lead to leaks or spills that allow heating oil to infiltrate the soil and groundwater in their vicinity.

Soil Contamination: In cases where there is leakage in an oil tank, the heating oil is likely to seep into the surrounding soil, polluting it. This affects the plants and the soil, reducing its suitability for cultivation or other gardening purposes. Soil contamination may also result in higher remediation costs if the problem is identified later.

Groundwater Pollution: The leaked oil can find its way from the soil to water sources such as groundwater sources and pollute the drinking water sources. People find tank pollution particularly unfavorable because, when aggressive groundwater contamination occurs, it impacts an entire community if the pollution extends to the vicinity of the tank. Remediation of contaminated groundwater is a challenging, expensive, and time-consuming procedure that may need unfathomable implements and procedures.

Wildlife Impact: Pollution by oil spills or leakage also poses a great threat to species of a particular region on the planet. Ingesting polluted soil and water can make the animal become ill or die from complications arising from the toxins. It impacts the ecosystems and thus has the potential to cause what scientists refer to as long-term ecological consequences.

Health Risks

There are various issues related to health risks that arise when using old oil tanks. Soil and water pollution can cause some degree of harm, especially if the affected individuals come into contact with it for a long time.

Toxic Exposure: Heating oil comprises chemicals and hydrocarbons that are toxic and when inhaled cause serious complications. When these chemicals get into the soil or groundwater it can have some levels of impacts on human health depending on the amount of contact or consumption of the resource contaminated. The effects of exposure to heating oil toxins consist of respiratory troubles, skin rash, and stomach upsets.

Potential for Long-Term Health Effects: Short-term adverse effects involve acute diseases and while long-term effects involve long-term or chronic diseases, disabilities, and ailments affiliated with water or soil pollution. For example, well-specified hydrocarbons have been known to cause cancer and neurological disorders when a person is exposed to them for a long duration.

Property Value Decrease: Places that have prior experience of contamination from an oil tank or any other source can expect their property’s value to plummet. Strangers may abstain from purchasing a property under the notion that they may have to deal with environmental cleanup or diseases. This decrease in value can be significant and so impact on your investment.

Legal and Financial Consequences

Non-removal of old oil tanks has the following legal and financial implications: Efficient oil tank removal and protection of the environment is the law and breaching the law attracts harsh consequences.

Regulatory Non-Compliance: Across most regions, including New Jersey, some laws govern the removal and disposal of oil tanks to ensure that pollution is kept at bay. Non-Compliance with these regulations leads to fines, legal actions as well as being ordered to do expensive rectification.

Cost of Cleanup: If a leak or spill is detected, then the costs that are incurred in cleaning up the contamination can be quite expensive. This comprises costs for analyzing the soil and water quality for the treatment process if had, and costs of repair or replacement of any damaged property. This cost can easily be accumulated and sometimes surpass the initial cost of carrying out the process of removing the tank.

Insurance Issues: It is usually advisable to talk to an insurance company or homeowners or business insurance policies concerning their clauses on oil tank removal and the environment. If an old oil tank gives rise to contamination you might find your insurance company refusing to pay out for the consequential loss or the cost of the cleaning.

Property Damage

Failure to remove an old oil tank can lead to a lot of physical deterioration to the property.

Structural Damage: Small seepage of the oil from the old storage tank can also compromise soil stability and cause damage to structures and property. For instance, the soil may become unstable, and this will result in the subsidence of the site and/or affecting the foundations and objects positioned on top of the tank.

Corrosion and Decay: An old leaking oil tank can also lead to corrosion and decay of all materials within its reach such as building foundations, pipes, and structures among others. This leads to costly fixing and might interfere with the safety, comfort, and functionality of the premise.

Conclusion

The risks of not removing an old oil tank are substantial and multifaceted, encompassing environmental, health, legal, financial, and property-related concerns. Failing to address an aging oil tank can lead to severe consequences, from soil and groundwater contamination to significant financial liabilities. Proactively managing and removing old oil tanks is essential for protecting your property, ensuring regulatory compliance, and safeguarding the environment and public health.

For those seeking a reliable and comprehensive solution to oil tank issues, consider Oil Tank Solution. As experts in the field, Oil Tank Solution offers professional services for the safe and efficient removal of old oil tanks, including thorough site remediation to address any potential contamination.