02 October 2014
Islanders should check their oil tanks for leaks after five pollution incidents were reported to Environmental Protection over five days resulting in the loss of 2,000 litres of heating oil.
Environmental Protection Officer Shelley Hawkins said “As autumn weather approaches, people are topping up their oil tanks as they get ready for winter. We’d really like to encourage people to check their tanks before and after the delivery and just be a bit more aware than usual.
“The impact of an oil spill on the Island’s water environment can be considerable. The potential loss of safe drinking water and the impact on wildlife that depend on watery habitats to survive are just some of the potential consequences of an oil spill – every pollution incident is one too many.
She added: “An oil spill also hits your bottom line; it costs more than £600 to fill a domestic tank and losing even part of that is expensive – especially when it’s so easily preventable.”
Service your tank
Environmental Protection is reminding Islanders to get their boiler and oil tank serviced each year and check their tanks before and after fuel has been delivered to keep an eye on how much heating oil they use. If it’s going down quicker than usual this may mean you have a leak. If so, you should contact the Department of the Environment’s pollution hotline and get in touch with your fuel provider.
Last year saw 92 water pollution incidents – six per cent fewer than 2012, but Environmental Protection want to see this figure fall even further.
Call Environmental Protection's pollution hotline on +44 (0) 1534 709535.
For more information, see the oil care sticker on your tank or Environmental Protection's web pages on preventing oil pollution.
Oil pollution prevention information
gov.je