Advice & Guidance On Domestic Heating Oil Spills

A large number of incidents arise due to domestic heating oil spills, these spills can be problematic if the heating oil permeates into the ground and migrates beneath properties and in to controlled waters.

Heating oil migrating underneath buildings can result in harmful vapours penetrating upwards in to buildings. Oil that has migrated in to a watercourse can cause harm to both human and aquatic life.

Incidents should be reported as soon as possible to the Environment Agency (24 hours a day pollution hotline - 0800 80 70 60). Where there could be a potential human health risk your local Council's Environmental Protection Department should also be notified. In most cases the quicker action is taken the easier it is to rectify the problem.

Most buiding contents insurance policies cover the aforementioned spills. You should also contact your insurer who should swiftly instruct a contractor to investigate and if necessary clean up the site.