Removing oil tanks on private property

How does it work?

As the owner of an oil tank that is in use, you must have the tank inspected annually. You must also insure yourself against the consequences of possible soil contamination. Do you want to remove the oil tank? Then you must have the tank and pipes excavated, cleaned and removed. You must (have) fill the hole with clean sand.

Conditions

Sometimes an old oil tank is buried under the ground near a house. Often there is nothing to see, but eventually the tank will rust through and can contaminate the soil. The homeowner is liable for the damage.

Removal obligation

In principle, you must have an oil or fuel tank in your ground removed. A tank that is no longer used can rust and leak, which can pollute the soil and groundwater.

The removal obligation does not apply to tanks that were remediated (cleaned) by a Kiwa-recognized company before January 1, 1999. The removal obligation also does not apply to tanks that were remediated before March 1, 1993. The municipality may still require you as the owner to take additional measures. In the past, tanks were not always cleaned as thoroughly.

How do you find an oil tank in your garden?

• Possible indications in your garden are a manhole cover, a copper cap, a vent pipe or strange subsidences. Poke a metal rod into the ground near the basement or crawl space. Oil tanks are never more than 1 meter deep. You can also use a metal detector.
• In the basement or crawl space, a disconnected pipe indicates an oil supply. Old oil pipes are easy to recognize: they are at least twice as thick as gas pipes and have a diameter of approximately 6 centimeters. Sealed holes in the wall are an indication that pipes used to run there.
• Ask your neighbors or the former residents if they know of the existence of a tank.
• Oil traders in the municipality are a source of information. In most cases, they know which houses used to have oil heating.