Oil spills account for approximately 16% of reported pollution incidents in Scotland. The new regulations seek to minimise the impact of oil upon the environment. Usefully, they establish minimum requirements for new and existing above-ground oil storage facilities - including fixed tanks, intermediate bulk containers, drums and mobile bowsers – whether inside or outside a building.
The regulations also cover domestic oil tanks with a capacity of more than 2500 litres. Smaller domestic installations are not exempt from regulation, but fall instead within the remit of The Scottish Government’s Building Standards Division.
One of the most significant requirements contained within the Regulations, is the mandatory bunding of all new, existing and replacement oil storage installations at affected premises. Compliance can be achieved through either the construction of a suitable masonry bund, or the installation of a suitable Bunded Tank.
Steve Beech, Director with TankDepot.co.uk says, “When stored and handled responsibly, oil is an environmentally responsible fuel choice. There are tens of thousands of fuel oil storage installations across Scotland, especially in rural areas where heating oil and diesel are at the heart of the rural economy.
“As a responsible supplier, TankDepot.co.uk welcomes the introduction of the new Regulations. We especially welcome the introduction of mandatory bunding at those installations which fall within the remit of the Regulations. Earlier this year, TankDepot.co.uk became the first national oil tank supplier in the UK to discontinue the supply of Single Skin Oil Tanks, choosing instead to specialise only in the supply of environmentally preferred, Bunded Oil Tanks. Since then we are delighted to see other resellers following our lead by similarly discontinuing the supply of Single Skin Oil Tanks.
“As a Bunded Tank specialist, TankDepot.co.uk can supply a full range of regulatory compliant tanks for the storage of Biodiesel, Diesel, Heating Oil, Waste Oils and Lubricants. All Bunded Oil Tanks supplied by TankDepot.co.uk have been engineered from the outset to exceed all applicable requirements contained within The Water Environment (Oil Storage) (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
“Ahead of the new Regulations coming into full effect, we’ve already witnessed a significant increase in orders and enquiries from customers in Scotland and we predict a busy four weeks, ahead of the Regulations coming into full effect. We’d encourage anyone with any queries about the Regulations to contact their local SEPA Office. Alternatively, they can call TankDepot.co.uk in the UK on 01332 834 141 or e-mail info@tankdepot.co.uk”
Part of the Derwent Group of companies, TankDepot.co.uk customers benefit from over three decades experience in the supply, specification and distribution of storage tanks. For more information on TankDepot.co.uk, visit www.tankdepot.co.uk
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TankDepot.co.uk is the UK's leading online supplier of tanks for the storage of Adblue, BioDiesel, Diesel, Heating Oil and Water from leading manufacturers including Harlequin, Schneider Industry and Kingspan Titan.
