Download Stormwater is any water that flows over the land surface and enters

BMP SERIES:
FUEL DISPENSING AND
SERVICE STATIONS
POLLUTION PREVENTION FOR FUEL
DISPENSING AND SERVICE STATIONS
Stormwater is any water that flows over the land surface and enters into storm drains. As water flows over city streets,
parking lots and the urban landscape, it picks up pollutants and carries them into our waterbodies. Service stations, fuel
storage and fuel dispensing operations can release wastewater that contains materials harmful to the environment. Spilled
fuels and other contaminated runoff can contain heavy metals, toxic materials, and flammable oil and grease, all of which are
very harmful to fish and aquatic life and must not be allowed to enter the storm drainage system. This is an important issue in
Metro Vancouver as the storm drains (roadside and parking lot drains) are separate from the sanitary sewer and discharge,
untreated, into local creeks and eventually into the Burrard Inlet. This integral network of watercourses provides natural habitat
for fish, birds and other aquatic life. Any discharged contaminants can be toxic to these organisms and to our environment.
This information sheet outlines best management practices (BMPs) that prevent pollution and protect water quality and our
environment.
Who Should Use This Information?
Fuel Dispensing Operations
Fuel Handlers
Service Stations
Mechanics
Equipment Operators
Vehicle Maintenance
Workers
Homeowners
General Contractors
Best Management Practices
Planning + Preparation
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Why Should Fuel Dispensing
Operations Use BMPs?
As a fuel dispenser, you play a vital role in protecting
public health and the environment. If not properly managed,
fuelling vehicles and equipment outdoors can pollute
stormwater runoff. The pollutants in fuel spills can destroy
sensitive ecosystems and pollute recreational sites and our
water supplies. While it may seem that your contribution to
pollution is minor, the effect of chemicals and runoff from
thousands of businesses really adds up.
By implementing BMPs, you will:
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Protect and improve water quality
Save money by reducing,
reusing and recycling
Be better able to comply with
existing regulations
Reduce potential liabilities
and avoid penalties
Offer environmentally friendly
services to your customers
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Always read product and equipment labels and follow their
directions for use. It’s a good idea to obtain and review
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) as well.
Train yourself and any employees you have about proper fuel
handling, fuel dispensing and waste handling techniques.
Consider providing incentives for employees who practice
proper or new pollution prevention techniques.
Use the least hazardous products possible at all times.
For construction and
other projects
requiring temporary
Fast Fact
fuelling, aim to make
use of established, offIn addition to harming
site fuelling stations
aquatic life through
whenever possible. If
storm drains, fuels and
not possible, then
oils can also damage
select a safe site for
our sewer lines by
fuel storage and
creating flammable
handling. The site
conditions within
should be centrally
them! Fuels must
located, away from
therefore not be
water, and with stable,
discharged anywhere
non-porous soils. Plan
except to a licensed
work so that
hazardous waste
equipment can be
company!
fuelled at the start or
end of shifts.
Keep all equipment
well-maintained to prevent leaks. Perform frequent inspections
for structural integrity and corrosion of equipment such as
piping, valves, joints, welds, and tanks.
Locate nearby storm drains, manholes, ditches, and creeks
ahead of time. Design your site so that stormwater runoff from
fuelling areas does not run to these locations.
BMP Series: Fuel Dispensing and Service Stations
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Pave fuelling areas with concrete, rather than asphalt, and
seal with impervious coatings to prevent any spilled fuel
from penetrating the soil and groundwater. Grade the area
with a 2 to 4 % slope to prevent stormwater ponding.
Repair or replace any cracked or damaged concrete on a
regular basis.
Fuel Dispensing
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Fuelling areas for both temporary and permanent
operations should be designed, covered and graded to
minimize stormwater
runoff and runon.
Quick Tips
Any remaining storm
drainage from these
 Check where storm
areas must be
directed to an
and sewer drains are
emergency spill sump.
located.
Contact your
 Determine how you
municipality for
will deal with your
specifications, though
waste before you
the general design
start the job.
involves containment

Stock up on
for a fuel spill of up
absorbent materials
to 1000 litres.
and other clean-up
Storm drainage should
items.
also be directed to an
oil-water separator
with a minimum
retention time of two hours. This should be inspected and
skimmed on a weekly basis and cleaned out immediately
after any spill.
The liquid levels in storage tanks must be measured and
monitored regularly. If a gain in water or loss of fuel is
detected, immediate corrective action must be taken and
the Fire Chief must be notified.
Use spigots, pumps or funnels when pouring fuels to
prevent spills and releases.
“Topping off” fuel tanks can cause spills. Post signs that
discourage this practice and that encourage the reporting of
any spills to staff members. Make sure shut-off valves on
the fuel nozzles are working properly, and be sure to use
overflow protection devices on tank systems to warn when
the tank is full.
Fit fuel dispensing equipment with “hold-open latches”
(automatic shutoffs) and vapor recovery nozzles whenever
possible.
Remain with your equipment at all times while fuelling.
When fuelling, use a drain pan or drop cloth under the
nozzle to catch leaks.
Above-ground fuel storage tanks must have at least one 80BC class fire extinguisher nearby.
For service stations, do not allow customers to
wash their vehicles, change their oil or work on
their cars in your parking lot or fuelling area.
Periodically clean up the fuelling area using dry
methods, such as sweeping and absorbents.
Avoid using water so that contaminants are
not washed down to storm drains.
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All fuel storage tanks for marina operations must be located
at least 4.5 metres horizontally from the annual high water
mark.
Waste Management
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Buy only what you need.
• Minimize waste and storage time by using a “first in, first
out” strategy for any stored materials, so that old ones are
used up before new ones are opened.
• Reuse or recycle leftover products or give them to someone
else who can use them.
• Save energy by turning off lights and equipment when not
in use.
• For participating service stations, provide clearly marked
containers for used antifreeze and oil recycling and ensure
that the sign reminds people not to mix these fluids.
• If you accept used oil filters, be sure to drain them for at
least 24 hours before recycling, to remove residual oil.
• Keep waste streams (e.g. used brake fluid and used oil)
separate so that each product can be reused, recycled, or
safely disposed of.
• Purchase recycled products to support the market for
recycled materials.
Waste Disposal
Quick Tips
 Dispose of all dry
waste that was not
 Reduce use of
in contact with fuel
hazardous materials
or auto fluid
and replace them
products into the
with non-toxic
garbage.
alternatives.
 Dispose of all fuel
waste (e.g.
 Reuse leftover
absorbent pads or
products whenever
rags with fuel
possible.
contamination) as
 Recycle unwanted
hazardous waste.
materials at a local
 Tools and
recycling depot.
equipment must
not be cleaned in
any area where
the wastewater would run to a storm drain.
 Fuels, auto fluids and solvents are considered hazardous
waste and must not be allowed to enter any drain or any
other part of any sewer system! All fuels and other
hazardous chemicals must be disposed of at a hazardous
waste facility.
Storage + Spills
Storage
• Keep all product containers, fuel tanks and dumpsters closed
and secured when not in use and be sure to protect them
from exposure to rainfall, stormwater runon and runoff,
vandalism, and animals.
BMP Series: Fuel Dispensing and Service Stations
• Keep storage and work areas clean and well organized.
Keep all containers properly labeled.
• Monitor the storage containers and fuelling areas on a
regular basis.
• Cap all floor drains located in storage areas so that spills
cannot discharge into sanitary sewers or storm drains.
• Avoid overfilling outdoor dumpsters or piling waste on the
ground beside them.
Spills
• Develop a spill response plan. Take into account the layout
of the site and the maximum volume of fuels or other
liquids to be used.
• Practice spill avoidance by anticipating and eliminating
spill-causing situations.
• Educate employees
by implementing a
Quick Tips
hazardous materials
training program.
 Identify appropriate
• Stock up on spill
waste storage areas.
clean-up supplies.
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Train employees in spill
Replenish as
prevention and
needed.
response, and be sure
• Whenever possible,
to remind them of their
use dry methods to
important role in
clean up spills, such
preventing storm drain
as sweeping or
contamination.
using absorbents.
 Report large or
Absorbents are an
hazardous spills to the
excellent first choice
Provincial Emergency
for small fuel spills.
Program.
Never wash spilled
fuels, solvents and
other hazardous
liquids down the drain!
• Dispose of clean-up material properly. Depending on what
was spilled, clean-up materials may be considered
hazardous waste.
• Do not use emulsifiers or dispersants on fuel spills, as these
generally make things worse.
• Report spill incidents immediately to the Provincial
Emergency Program at 1-800-663-3456. All spills over
100 litres are required by law to be reported.
For More Information:
B.C. Recycling Hotline
(604) RECYCLE (732-9253)
 For the nearest collection depot
B.C. Provincial Emergency Program
1-800-663-3456
www.pep.bc.ca
 To report a large or hazardous spill
Canadian Petroleum Products Institute
(613) 232-3709
www.cppi.ca
 For industry-specific information
Metro Vancouver
(604) 432-6200 (Information Hotline)
(604) 444-8401 (Water + Sewerage Emergency Line)
www.gvrd.bc.ca
 Oversees all storm drain and sewer activity within the
GVRD and Burrard Inlet
B.C. Ministry of Environment
(250) 387-1161 (Provincial Hotline)
(604) 582-5200 (Lower Mainland Office)
www.gov.bc.ca/env
 Creates and enforces water quality and pollution laws
Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program
(604) 775-5756
www.bieapfremp.org
 For report information or any other questions
Pollution Prevention for Fuel Dispensers and Service Stations Checklist
Yes, I have:
Identified the locations of the nearest storm and sewer drains
Posted these best management practices in a central location
Organized regular staff training sessions
Checked the condition of all stored fuel products
Developed a site layout to minimize and safely discharge fuelling area runoff
Provided containment and spill clean-up equipment
Prepared and posted a spill response plan
REMEMBER!
Storm drains are meant
for storm run-off only
and are protected by
legislation. Contamination
of the storm drainage
system is an offence and
may be prosecuted under
local bylaws, the BC
Environmental
Management Act, or the
Federal Fisheries Act.