Without proper monitoring and testing of the tank and piping, leakage may go undetected until a major and costly problem has occurred. Sensitive ground water areas are those areas near public or private water supply wells and areas of aquifer recharge. Property damage can include seepage into buildings and damaged buried telephone conduits. Banks, mortgage companies and real estate brokers sometimes require a site assessment of properties which contain unregulated underground storage tanks to avoid these problems and their associated liability. Vapor leakage from tanks depends upon soil and weather conditions from underground tanks.
Leakage can cause health problems ranging from nausea to respiratory distress.
Another problem is possible combustion and fire, which is a concern for tanks next to buildings since vapors may leak into the building. Other less frequent problems associated with underground storage tanks include spills from overfilling the tank. Heating oil spilled during overfilling may contaminate the surrounding soils. This problem, if caught quickly, may involve only minor cleanup. Leaks from underground storage tanks result from defects in tank material, improper fittings, improper installation, damage during installation, corrosion or mechanical failure of the pipes and fittings or tanks which are improperly abandoned or removed.