The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will be conducting inspections of local service stations in the Hornsby region over the next few weeks to try to detect leaking Underground Petrol Storage Systems (UPSS).
Mr Tony Hodgson, Acting Director Hazardous Incidents and Environment Health, said leaks from underground tanks present a risk to human health and the environment.
“Leaking fuel from underground petrol storage tanks can contaminate soil and local water resources and affect properties some distance from the source.
“It can also reach stormwater drains, sewers and service trenches, making it unsafe for workers to access them for maintenance and repairs.
“Service station owners are liable for the costs of clean up which can run into millions of dollars,” Mr Hodgson said.
“And of all the contaminated sites in NSW that require intervention by the EPA, the greatest proportion (over 30 per cent) are associated with UPSS.
Mr Hodgson said that the inspections, which were being jointly undertaken by Hornsby Shire Council and WorkCover NSW, were aimed at offering assistance to site owners or operators with UPSS and assessing compliance under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.
“Under NSW legislation, operators of fuel tanks must show that they manage their tanks in a responsible manner by regularly checking for leaks, and can be liable for fines of up to $44,000 if they fail to notify the EPA that their tanks are leaking,” said Mr Hodgson.
