What action is necessary when a heating oil tank leak is detected?

When a heating oil tank leak is detected, the necessary action is to decommission the tank and perform corrective action. This is essential because a leaking tank poses significant environmental hazards, including the risk of soil and water contamination, which can have serious ecological and health impacts.

Decommissioning the tank involves safely shutting down its operation, removing the fuel, and properly disposing of or recycling the remaining fuel in a manner that complies with environmental regulations. Performing corrective action might include repairing the leak if they are feasible, or replacing the tank if it is beyond repair. This action not only mitigates immediate risks but also ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Increased monitoring or installing an adjacent containment tank may be helpful in certain situations, but they do not address the immediate threat that a leak poses. These actions would typically follow the decommissioning process as part of a broader strategy to prevent future leaks or manage environmental risks. Immediate evacuation might be necessary in some extreme cases depending on the level of hazard, but it is not the primary or most effective response to a detected leak.