Groundwater Protection Code: Petrol stations and other fuel dispensing facilities involving underground storage tanks
Under
the Groundwater Regulations 1998, Ministers may approve codes of practice
for authorities which could result in the pollution of groundwater. To
this end the Department has published a Groundwater Protection Code:
Petrol stations and other fuel dispensing facilities involving underground
storage tanks.
This code is aimed at those people who are involved in the design, construction, operation, management and decommissioning of underground storage tank facilities, both retail and non-retail. It provides guidance on the best practical option for groundwater protection, based on the type of facility and outlines the risks to groundwater which may occur at various stages of the life cycle of a petrol station.
The code will be used by the Environment Agency to ensure compliance with the Groundwater Regulations. Non-Compliance with the Regulations can lead to polluters facing significant liabilities and fines.
Although petrol retail stations are the main target of this code, it will also apply to underground storage facilities used at airports, farms, ports, railway depots, scrapyards, vehicle depots as well as industrial, commercial and domestic properties.
This code is not intended to cover health and safety issues and does not, therefore, replace any codes or guidance addressing such matters. Similarly the code is not meant to replace technical guidance available on engineering solutions, thought comment is given, where relevant, to the sorts of solution which may be available.
The document has been made in Adobe Acrobat format for downloading and printing as follows:
- English text (220kb)
- Welsh text (220kb)
The Adobe Acrobat Reader can be freely downloaded. Viewers with visual difficulties may find it useful to investigate services provided to improve the accessibility of Acrobat documents - http://access.adobe.com
In the case of relatively large Acrobat files, readers may find it useful to save the file directly onto their own PC rather than opening it via their web browser. Using the Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser right-click on the link, select "Save Target As", and choose a suitable location on your PC; using the Netscape web browser right-click on the link and choose "Save Link As".
Printed copies of the code, available in English and Welsh can be obtained free of charge from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London, SW1A 2XX, Tel: 08459 556000, Fax: 020 8957 5012, Email: defra@iforcegroup.com
If you have any other enquiries you can contact us by e-mail: wq.enquiries@defra.gsi.gov.uk.
Further information
- Guidance on the Groundwater Regulations 1998
- Groundwater protection code: sheep dip
- Groundwater protection code: petrol stations
- Groundwater protection code: solvents
Page published 14 November
2002;
Page last modified
20 May, 2008