The Risks of Leaving an Old Oil Tank in Place
Old, abandoned, or unused oil tanks present serious and growing risks over time.
Dormant oil tanks can:
- Develop internal corrosion that leads to fuel leaks without warning
- Cause soil and groundwater contamination, resulting in significant environmental liability
- Trigger insurance cancellation or refusal of coverage
- Create major obstacles during home sales, refinancing, or property transfers
- Reduce property value and delay or prevent real estate closings
In many cases, properties in Kitchener cannot be sold or refinanced until an abandoned oil tank has been fully removed and properly documented.
Professional Oil Tank Removal Is Required
Oil tanks must be removed by a licensed, approved contractor to ensure compliance, safety, and proper documentation.
Approved removal must be performed by a company recognized by:
- Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA)
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
Professional removal ensures environmental protection, regulatory compliance, and the issuance of a Certificate of Tank Removal required for insurance and real estate purposes.