Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Friday, 3 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 December 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Monday, 13 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of pollution caused by leakage from domestic oil tanks. - (Holding answer 8 December 2004).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of pollution caused by leakage from domestic oil tanks. [203412] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 8 December 2004]: New and replacement oil tanks on domestic premises are subject to Building Regulations, which require a risk assessment to be undertaken and a bunded tank to be used if the risk is high, for example if the tank is within 10 metres of a watercourse. All tanks over 2,500 litres must be bunded. Domestic oil storage tanks over 3,500 litres are subject to The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) (England) Regulations 2001 which already apply to new facilities and existing facilities at significant risk and will apply to all remaining existing oil stores by 1 September 2005. In addition, the Agency has powers under the Water Resources Act 1991 to require improvements of installations where pollution of controlled waters is likely to occur.

Secondary information