Fillpipe spillage protection for underground tanks in the USA

Contamination of groundwater by leaks from underground tanks is being given increasing attention in the USA. Many governmental bodies, both Federal and State, are considering legislation that will impose stringent requirements for tank installations in order to reduce or eliminate leaks. Nearly all such requirements consider only equipment failure, and ignore that part of the problem resulting from operator failure. This paper estimates the potential for spillage into the ground, primarily of motor vehicle fuel, as a result of operator error during tank filling operations, and suggests that an immediate reduction in such spillage can be made by retrofitting existing tanks with properly designed protective devices. The advantages and disadvantages of several commercially available forms of fillpipe protection are discussed.