For more than a decade, the Canadian government has had regulations in place that help to reduce the risk of releases of oil and gas products from storage containersUnderground Fuel Tanks, both above ground and underground. At the time the legislation was passed in 2018, an estimated 15 percent of all active storage tank systems in the country were more than 20 years-old and, as such, had no corrosion protection, leak detection, or structure designed to contain leaks and spills that could cause harm to humans as well as the environment.
Underground storage tanks are a major concern worldwide, including in Canada. Oil spills from these tanks are the largest threat to groundwater in the United States and many other countries. Tanks can corrode quickly when buried unprotected in the soil. Corrosion, poor installation, pipe failures, and spills during delivery cause dangerous leaks.
Many tank owners in Canada lack the financial means to cover such releases. This is why the Storage Tank Environmental Insurance policy was created to address pollution risks from aboveground and underground tanks.
Why choose pollution liability insurance?
Underground tank owners must maintain their tanks to prevent leaks and spills. However, leaks often happen gradually and without the owner’s knowledge.
For this reason, many businesses with underground storage tanks choose commercial insurance. Several insurance providers offer the “Storage Tank Third Party Liability, Corrective Action and Clean-up policy.” This policy covers claims arising from pollution caused by storage tanks. While the cost can be high, the policy protects against various losses, including:
- property damage
- bodily injury
- clean-up costs
- cost of taking corrective action
- defence expenses.
A number of different industries that use both above ground and underground storage tanks take advantage of this insurance each year. This includes fuel storage terminals, gas stations, waste treatment and disposal facilities, hospitals, warehouse storage facilities, and many others.
This insurance is available from many different Canadian insurance companies and can be tailored to fit the various needs of the customer.
It’s all about correct installation and monitoring
Proper installation and effective monitoring systems are crucial for underground tanks.
At Western Oil Services, we prioritize safety in fuel and fluid storage. We offer solutions for industrial and commercial sites. Our team upgrades outdated systems, replaces old ones, and installs new backup systems. This ensures reliable energy storage and ongoing safety monitoring.
We partner with trusted manufacturers to provide advanced tank monitoring systems. These systems help prevent accidents by integrating on-site technology. Clients receive alerts through the internet, telephone, or low-voltage alarms. Early warnings for low fuel or leaks reduce risks and help avoid insurance claims.
Regular inspections
We also offer preventative maintenance inspections for our customers who own fuel storage systems. These can be scheduled monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually and are highly recommended for those storing product that could be harmful should leaks occur. Inspections can detect problems caused by regular wear and tear and from aging. These meticulous inspections allow the client to remedy situations that could eventually turn into anything from a minor inconvenience to a full-fledged disaster.
For more information on our fuel and fluid storage solutions, including Underground Fuel Tanks, call us at 1-800-663-2097.