Depth to ground water. Floodways or areas where the water table is close to the surface are poor locations for storage tanks. Tanks placed in such areas require special installation. To reduce pollution potential, an above-ground tank may be preferable to an underground tank in some situations. Whenever you install a fuel storage tank, carefully follow the manufacturer's recommended installation practices.
Proper installation is one sure way to minimize leaks from the tank or connected piping.
Scratches in a metal tank caused by careless installation can increase corrosion and tank deterioration. All new underground petroleum storage tanks and related piping must be constructed of non-metallic materials, such as fiberglass, or have corrosion protection. Methods of corrosion protection include using interior liners and sacrificial anodes which are connected to the tank. A sacrificial anode is a special material with a greater tendency to corrode than the tank material. The anode will typically protect the tank for up to 30 years.