Maine Snow and Ice Brings Oil Spills

March 10, 2008 -- (AUGUSTA)— The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is cautioning home owners to check the condition of their outside heating oil tanks following a number of spills statewide. Falling ice from roofs and snow compaction around outdoor heating oil tanks can sever lines and break off filters causing costly spills. A broken off filter or severed fuel line can empty the entire contents of the tank.

“It’s a double whammy,” notes DEP’s oil spill prevention engineer Peter Moulton. “You can say goodbye to hundreds of dollars spent on fuel and still be faced with expensive clean up costs.”

While homeowners can look up and spot the potential falling roof ice problem, the filter hidden under heavy snow can also cause problems. If left undetected the spill can lead to groundwater contamination and petroleum vapors in the home requiring costly cleanup. This is especially important to consider now, with above average amounts of rain falling on roofs and the heavy snow accumulation. Make sure the snow you shovel does not land on your oil filter or your oil tank.

The problem has a simple and inexpensive solution. Most heating oil technicians can easily install a small “doghouse” shaped filter protector. “The cost of the gadget and installation is a fraction of what a spill and cleanup could cost a homeowner both in money and aggravation,” according to Moulton.

Filter protectors and advice on how to check out and protect your tank is available on the DEP’s website at MaineDEP.com.

Source: Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection

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