Q. | Do oil tanks need to be registered with the state? |
A. | TIn New York State, even residential storage sites must be registered if more than 1100 gallons are stored at a single site. |
Q. | Who is responsible if an underground storage tank (UST) has a leak? |
A. | Regardless of size, if a home heating oil tank causes a release of oil into the environment, the owner of the tank is responsible for the cleanup. |
Q. | How do I know if my underground storage tank is leaking? |
A. | There are a number of tests available to determine tank integrity. The only real question is whether testing is necessary. If the tank is over thirty years old, don’t waste time and money on tests. The number one choice should be to remove the tank. |
Q. | What if removing the tank is impossible? |
A. | If existing conditions make removal of the underground storage tank difficult or impossible, you may wish to abandon in place. ENVIROspect is experienced in providing environmentally sound ways in which to abandon a UST. |
Q. | What happens if it is determined that the tank has a leak? |
A. | The source of the leak/spill must be stopped, appropriate action must be initiated, and the incident must be reported. |
Q. | When does an oil spill need to be reported? |
A. | All petroleum spills that occur within New York must be reported to the NYS Spill Hotline (1-800-457-7362)
within 2 hours of discovery,except spills that meet all of the following criteria:
• The quantity is know to be less than 5 gallons; and
• The spill is contained and under control of the spiller; and
• The spill has not and will not reach the state’s water or any land; and
• The spill is cleaned up within 2 hours of discovery. |
Q. | How do I know if a spill has impacted land? |
A. | A spill is considered to have not impacted land if it occurs on a paved surface such as asphalt or concrete. However, a spill in a soil or gravel parking lot is considered to have impacted land and is reportable. |
Q. | Who Should Report an Oil Spill? |
A. | There are many laws and regulations in New York State regarding reporting of petroleum, chemicals and materials that may cause environmental damage. In all cases the responsible party or the property owner is required to report the discovery of a release. Many of the laws and regulations also place a burden on consultants, contractors or anyone with knowledge. Due to the complexity of the regulations and situations in which multiple laws and regulations can apply, the DEC recommends that anyone with knowledge report the discovery of any contamination or release to the New York State Spill Hotline: 1-800-457-7362. |
Q. | How can I dispose of chemicals in the safest and most cost effective manner? |
A. | Expert knowledge of which chemicals can be safely combined is critical in any lab packing job. Combining the wrong chemicals can have disastrous results. Not combining safe chemicals can result in higher disposal costs. ENVIROspect has the expertise to economically and efficiently handle your lab packing needs. |
Q. | What exactly is considered a biohazard? |
A. | A biohazard would include, but is certainly not limited to, bloodborne pathogens, crime scene residues, animal carcasses and feces, sewage backups. |
