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ARCHIVE: 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:

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

Page published 14 November 2002;
Page last modified 15 September, 2009