Service station operator warned about underground storage

Underground petrol storage tanks pose a risk to the environment if they are not properly maintained or repaired and EPA prioritises action to ensure that site operators are doing their job.

A recent snap inspection by EPA officers of the Pearl Energy service station at 1b Bell St Preston, showed that the operator had not been following the required guidance and had failed to appropriately assess risks from the site's underground petroleum storage system (UPSS).

Improvement notices have been issued to the service station operator Revati Baldev Petroleum Pty Ltd (as trustee for Revati Baldev Fixed Unit Trust) to engage professionals to assess the potential impacts of the on-site UPSS on the environment, and to provide an opinion on the need for further assessment to ensure compliance with UPSS monitoring guidelines.

“The assessment shows the site is sensitive, taking into consideration the proximity of the nearest receiving water body, potential vapour risk, the expected shallow depth to groundwater, and underlying geological permeability,” explained EPA Northern Metropolitan Regional Manager Chloe Bernett.

“A follow-up improvement notice has been issued requiring the installation of a groundwater monitoring well network and for equipment integrity testing to be undertaken on all components of the UPSS. 

“If groundwater monitoring shows contamination or should petrol storage infrastructure be found to be faulty, EPA intends to issue follow up notices to rectify identified issues.

'Service stations pose as one of the major sources of soil and groundwater contamination within the urban environment due to the potential for the leakage of petroleum hydrocarbons to the environment.

“It is EPA's expectation that owners and operators of service stations appropriately identify and assess risks associated with the underground storage of fuels and adequate mitigate risks in accordance with Victorian, updated interstate, and Australian standards, legislation and guidance."