Home » News
Filter by category:

Keeping Water Out of Your UST System

 

Hopefully, winter will loosen its grip and temperatures will return to normal as the most recent forecast would indicate.  As melting has occurred, consumer complaints citing engine trouble from water in their gasoline, gasoline blends, and diesel fuel have increased in frequency.  The increase in consumer related water complaints is likely the result of large stock piles of snow melting and ineffective drainage due to the property size limitations at retail fuel outlets .  Both the Iowa Weights and Measures Bureau and the Iowa DNR UST Section have contacted FUELIowa about the rise in consumer complaints concerning water in motor fuel storage tanks.  As a reminder for FUELIowa members, the regulatory thresholds for water in a retail motor fuel storage tank are as follows:

Gasoline-alcohol blends, biodiesel blends, ethanol flex fuel, AV Gas:  ¼ inch

Gasoline, Diesel, Other Fuels:  1 inch

In addition to water present in delivered product and naturally occurring condensation, water may enter a UST system through grade level access points.  A few common points where water may enter a UST system are spill buckets, fill cap gaskets, drain plugs, fill pipes, and tank sumps.  With warmer temperatures forecasted throughout the upcoming week, FUELIowa members are encouraged to monitor the components listed above for signs of water intrusion.  FUELIowa members should closely monitor ATG readings and manual sticking of the UST system is also highly recommended.  Employing a few preventative measures will go a long way toward preventing your customers from receiving product with a high concentration of water.

Adding to the concerns caused by the melting snow will be the threat of heavy spring rains.  The threat of warm temperatures triggering a rapid snow melt paired with heavy rains, is a cause for flooding concerns.  The Iowa DNR UST Section has resources on their website available to assist owners and operators in preparation for flood events.  Click HERE for the Iowa DNR UST Section emergency flood guidance resources.

Tanks & Equipment State Fuel







RINAlliance HEALTHAlliance AssuredPartners Unified Contracting Services Seneca Companies Renewable Energy Group EMC Insurance PMMIC Insurance Cylinder Express Altria Philip Morris International Rainbo Oil Company Midwest Petroleum Equipment HTP Energy GROWMARK Energy MAST ATM Seneca Tank Flint Hills Otter Creek Country Stores, Inc Sinclair Molo Petroleum Westmor Industries Jet Gas Wellmark McGowen, Hurst, Clark & Smith PC Olsen Fuel Supply Elliott Oil Company Reif Oil Mulgrew Oil Valero Central Bank BP Delta Dental Core-Mark Foster Group Cenex Atlas McDermott Oil Co Community Oil Company Phillips 66 Federated Insurance WorldPay
PMCI Facebook PMCI Twitter PMCI LinkedIn
Home   |    About FUELIowa   |    Site Map   |    Privacy   |    Contact Us   |    ©2019 FUELIowa, All Rights Reserved
10430 New York Ave., Suite F, Urbandale, IA 50322-3773   |    P. 515.224.7545   |    F. 515.224.0502
Home
About FUELIowa
Site Map
Privacy
Contact Us
10430 New York Ave., Suite F, Urbandale, IA 50322-3773
P. 515.224.7545
F. 515.224.0502
©2019 FUELIowa, All Rights Reserved