Storing agricultural fuel oil and constructing storage
The regulations farmers and land managers must follow when storing more than 1,500 litres of agricultural fuel oil, such as red diesel and white diesel.
Applies to England
This guide will help you to meet the requirements for storing agricultural fuel oil set out in the Water Resources (Control of Pollution) (Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil) (England) Regulations) 2010.
These regulations, known as SSAFO, are designed to:
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reduce the risk of water pollution
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protect drinking water
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help ensure your agricultural fuel oil storage is safe and secure
This guide also includes advice from the code of good agricultural practice for farmers, growers and land managers.
What agricultural fuel oil is
Agricultural fuel oil is fuel oil intended to produce heat or power for agricultural purposes. This is typically:
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red diesel to operate tractors
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white diesel for road vehicles
It does not include oil at your home or business that is stored separately to agricultural fuel oil and is intended for use exclusively:
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for domestic purposes, for example heating a farmhouse or other residential premises
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for another non-agricultural business you run from your farm
Find out about storing oil at your home or business.
When you must follow the regulations
These regulations apply when the total quantity of agricultural fuel oil stored on your farm is more than 1,500 litres. This includes whether it’s kept in a single tank or spread across your farm in multiple tanks or drums.
You must follow the requirements set out in the regulations when you’re:
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constructing new agricultural fuel oil storage
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substantially changing existing storage
Substantial changes usually mean structural alterations such as increasing capacity or relocation, rather than minor repairs. Check with the Environment Agency if you’re not sure.
Environment Agency general enquiries team
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
These requirements do not apply:
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if you store a total quantity of 1,500 litres or less of agricultural fuel oil – the Environment Agency recommends that you follow the code of good agricultural practice for farmers, growers and land managers
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to agricultural fuel oil stored temporarily in a tanker used for transporting fuel oil on roads or around your farm
When you’re exempt from the regulations
Agricultural fuel oil storage constructed before March 1991 is exempt from these regulations. Your storage is also exempt if both of the following apply:
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you entered into a contract for construction or substantial change before March 1991
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the construction or substantial change was completed before September 1991
If you make substantial changes to the storage, it’s no longer exempt.
The Environment Agency may also serve notice for people to take action to improve stores if they consider there’s a significant risk of pollution.
You must take precautions to ensure that agricultural fuel oil does not cause pollution.
Notify the Environment Agency about planned new storage or substantial changes
You’re legally required to notify the Environment Agency at least 14 days before you either:
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construct new agricultural fuel oil storage
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make substantial changes to existing storage
It’s recommended that you notify the Environment Agency as early as possible to address any required changes before work starts.
Environment Agency general enquiries team
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Tell them:
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your name
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your address
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your telephone number
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your email address
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the type of storage you’re proposing to construct or change
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the exact location of the site (a 10-figure grid reference is recommended)
It is helpful to supply the following additional information:
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a site plan showing the location of the structure
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a design drawing confirming the materials you’ll use and their design, specification and layout – you may also need to confirm that your design meets regulatory requirements
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a copy of the manufacturer’s specifications and guarantee (only if you plan to use prefabricated products)
The Environment Agency may contact you for further information. They may give you guidance on changes you need to make to ensure your storage meets the regulations.
You should also check if you need planning permission for your storage.
Where to store agricultural fuel oil
No part of your fuel oil storage system can be within:
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10 metres of inland freshwaters (including, for example, any yard drain, land drain, stream or ditch, even if it flows for only part of the year)
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10 metres of coastal waters
The Environment Agency recommends that your storage system is not within:
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50 metres of a borehole, well, or spring
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a groundwater source protection zone one (SPZ1)
Check if you’re in a groundwater source protection zone (SPZ).
Where this is unavoidable, contact the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency general enquiries team
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Agricultural fuel oil tanks are normally sited above ground. Consult the Environment Agency if you want to consider installing underground fuel storage tanks. Underground tanks must also follow the groundwater protection code for preventing pollution.
It’s also good practice to place tanks:
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away from any foul or surface-water drains
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where the delivery driver can see the filling gauge
Standards for agricultural fuel oil tanks and drums
Check with your supplier that your chosen tank or drum meets manufacturing and quality standards.
All tanks and drums must have a system to prevent leaks and spills from polluting the environment. This is a secondary containment system commonly known as a bund. You may need to construct this.
If you buy a tank with a combined secondary containment system (a bund), make sure it complies with SSAFO regulations.
Tanks, drums and secondary containment systems must be designed to last at least 20 years with proper maintenance.
Secondary containment systems must:
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have walls and a base which are impermeable to oil and water
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contain every part of the tank or drum
Taps and valves through which oil can be discharged must be within the bund. They must be directed down into it and locked shut when not in use. The bund must not contain an outlet or a drain.
Flexible delivery pipes permanently attached to the primary tank must be fitted with a self-closing tap or valve at the end. They must be locked inside the bund when not in use.
Secondary containment capacity
Your secondary containment system must have a minimum capacity. The capacity depends on your type of storage.
For single tanks, the minimum capacity is 110% of the capacity of the tank.
If you have multiple tanks in one area, the minimum capacity is either of the following (whichever is greater):
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110% capacity of the largest tank
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25% of the total volume that could be stored in all tanks in the area
For drums, the minimum capacity is at least 25% of the total volume that could be stored at any time.
Maintain your agricultural fuel oil storage
It’s recommended that you routinely check and maintain your agricultural fuel oil store to:
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prevent leaks and failures
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make sure there’s no risk of pollution
Repair any leaks immediately. Take out any water or oil that accumulates in the bund and dispose of it safely. Large amounts of oil can be removed from water using a blanket that is specially made to absorb oil.
It’s good practice to:
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inspect tanks, pipes and equipment regularly for damage and corrosion
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repaint metal tanks on the outside to prevent corrosion
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inspect secondary containment and keep it in good condition
Maintain your store according to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it will meet the 20-year life expectancy.
Plan for potential spills
It’s recommended that you have an incident response plan and spill kits in case of a spill. Make sure staff are fully trained and know what to do if an incident happens.
All your oil storage tanks should have an oil care campaign sticker that tells you what to do if you have an oil leak or spill. Call the Environment Agency’s general enquiries line for a free sticker.
Environment Agency general enquiries team
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
The Environment Agency recommends that you:
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include how to deal with spillages in your accident and emergency plan
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have an absorbent material (for example sawdust) available to soak up any spillages
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have spill kits available at all locations where oil is stored and used – make sure staff know how to use them
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plan operational procedures for deliveries to and from the tank, to minimise the chances of having a spill
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have a member of farm staff present when fuel is delivered if possible
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fit an alarm to alert you to overfilling
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avoid overfilling vehicle tanks
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transport, site and use mobile tanks with care, especially when you are refuelling machines such as irrigation pumps next to surface waters
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check that the fuel systems and tanks of all tractors and diesel engines used in a fixed position are not leaking – use a drip tray as a short-term measure
What to do if there’s a spill
If you have a spill, act straight away to stop the oil getting into drains or watercourses. If you can, soak up the spilled oil with your spill kit, sand or earth. Do not put yourself in danger.
Do not hose the spill down or use detergents to get rid of it as you could make the pollution worse.
If oil soaks into the ground, the soil soaked in oil should be removed by a professional company. This is so it does not cause long-term pollution.
Store any materials soaked in oil in containers. This is to contain the oil until it can be disposed of safely.
Report pollution
If there is a pollution incident on your farm, contact the Environment Agency on 0800 80 70 60.
Reporting incidents can ensure that you get timely advice. This will help to minimise the impact to the environment and your business.
Disposing of waste fuel oil
Any materials contaminated with oil must be treated as hazardous waste. This includes any mixture of oil and water collected in a bund.
You must dispose of waste fuel oil without causing pollution. This includes mixtures of oil and water that have collected in secondary containment.
Find out what to do with hazardous waste.
Enforcement and inspections
You’re responsible for preventing pollution if you store, manage or handle agricultural fuel oil.
The Environment Agency is responsible for enforcing these regulations. They do this through farm inspections and incident response.
If an inspection finds you’re not complying with the regulations
The Environment Agency will usually prioritise giving advice and guidance, specifying the actions you need to take, before taking more formal enforcement action.
The Environment Agency may take more formal enforcement action if there’s already pollution or a significant risk of pollution. This may include:
- serving a notice to improve any unsuitable agricultural fuel oil store
- prosecution which may result in a fine
Get advice about agricultural fuel oil storage
Contact the Environment Agency for advice.
Environment Agency general enquiries team
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone: 03708 506 506
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges