EPA reaches settlement with nine petrol stations over groundwater violations

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached settlements with nine petrol stations located in three states in order to force them to comply with federal laws that are intended to protect underground drinking water sources from fuel tanks stored below ground.

The petrol stations are located in Alaska, Oregon and Washington.

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act’s underground storage tank regulations require fuel tanks that store petroleum or other dangerous fuel liquids to have line leak detector systems on underground piping.

The nine stations have been penalised several times due to repeated violations of the precautionary rules.

Some have even been suspended from receiving fuel shipments as a result of continued violation.

EPA’s Seattle groundwater unit manager Peter Contreras said: "Underground fuel tank owners and operators must be knowledgeable and safely operate their systems to prevent harmful releases.

"Repeat violators will face stiffer penalties, and may be blocked from receiving fuel shipments."

Eight of the nine petrol stations have agreed to adhere to the federal rules and improve the condition of their underground storage tanks to prevent any leakage.

Washington’s Shell Gas Station in Hoquiam is the only station that has not yet complied with the rules and has thus been prohibited from importing fuel delivery.

In 2015, the US recorded 6,800 new petroleum spills across the country due to improper management and operation of fuel tanks and underground piping.

At present, there are more than 70,000 water properties in the US that are contaminated from leaking underground fuel storage tanks, causing health and environmental threats, as well as risks related to fire and explosion.

The EPA is working in collaboration with state regulatory agencies to prevent groundwater contamination and petroleum spills.