Oil leak - waiting for a call back from the E. A....

[mike]

anyone want a wager on the likely outcome?

we had our oil tank refilled last week, so when we move back into our house on tuesday ( ) we'll have heat.  the BT man came out to fix the line today and spotted that the sight glass was broken and all 500 litres of oil had leaked out.  We've called the environment agency and are waiting for a call back from the local guy.  From their website it looks like we might have to dig out all the contaminated soil.  Arse. 

At least we have plenty of builders on site...

[Pingu]

Any rivers or lakes downhill from you?

[mike]

theres a small drainage ditch about 10 yards away (the other side of the garage).

[BornAgainCyclist]

Is it possible that the oil was stolen?  This sort of crime has become rife in some areas.

[Dave]

Sounds expensive. 

[mike]

fingers crossed, it should be covered on the home insurance...   Dont think it was stolen, there's quite a lot of extra security because of the building work (ruddy great locked gates)

[Pingu]

I guess your tank's too small to legally require a bund.

Hopefully, there won't be any dead fishes downstream from you 

[nuttycyclist]

Is it a sensible tank design that you can lose all oil due to a broken sight glass?

[mike]

no.  It's quite an old one (1960s??) - new ones might be different.

the EA werent too worried about it - apparently we just have to dig down to 2 feet under the tank (which seems too shallow to me, but I'm no expert) and have the soil desposed of properly.

Seems its *not* covered on household insurance because we werent living in the house at the time 'so accidental damage isnt covered'.  We're having 'ongoing discussions'. 

[slowfen]

Sounds expensive. 

At 50p + a litre it certyainly is!!