Water quality protection note 60 September 2013 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in public drinking water source areas Purpose Petrol and diesel losses to the environment from temporary mobile fuel storage facilities can pollute drinking water supply sources. This note provides advice on the management of these facilities to prevent fuel spillage and minimise the contamination risk to water resources. The Department of Water is responsible for managing and protecting the state s water resources. It is also a lead agency for water conservation and reuse. This note offers: the department s current views on temporary mobile fuel storage in proclaimed drinking water source catchments guidance on acceptable practices used for protecting the quality of Western Australian water resources a basis for the development of a multi-agency code or guidelines designed to balance the views of industry, government and the community, while sustaining a healthy environment. This note is intended to inform industry operators, government officers, environmental consultants and community members on water quality protection aspects of this activity from initial design, through construction, operation and possible eventual closure. Appendices provide additional advice relevant to this note, including: Appendix A: information on sensitive water resources, note limitations and updates Appendix B: relevant statutes and administering agencies Appendix C: maps and diagrams. Scope This note applies to storage of fuel in mobile facilities such as tanks on trailers or mounted on skid rails. These tanks are either towed or lifted into position to provide for multilocation refuelling of vehicles and mechanical plant. These facilities are commonly used within proclaimed public drinking water source areas (PDWSAs) at construction sites, quarries and mines or for liquid fuel powered equipment in remote areas. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 1 of 12
The note mainly focuses on tanks with a capacity exceeding 250 L that are used to store fuel in a specific location for less than 12 months. It also applies to mobile plant such as generator sets with fuel tanks attached (excluding portable tradesman s units). This note does not apply to longer term fuel storage or dispensing facilities on engineered footings in fixed locations. Other water quality protection notes are available to provide guidance on these installations. Maps showing the location of proclaimed PDWSAs are available on the department s website <www.water.wa.gov.au> select Tools and data > Maps and atlases > Geographic data atlas > Environment > Public drinking water source areas. Background The term public drinking water source area describes land proclaimed under the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909 and/or the Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 for the management and protection of surface or underground water resources used as public drinking water supply sources. Proclaimed areas include underground water pollution control areas, water reserves and catchment areas. The department s source protection strategy for PDWSAs includes definition by individual source protection plans or land-use and water management strategies of priority areas. These areas are called P1, P2 and P3. Priority areas are assigned after considering land tenure, land use, water flow paths and assessed contamination risk. Different management strategies apply in each priority area. Our Water quality protection note 25 Land use compatibility in public drinking water source areas (reference 4b) provides more details. Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage by-laws 4.3, 4.6, 5.4, 5.5, and 5.6 relate to fuel storage in PDWSAs near Perth. Country Areas Water Supply by-laws 10, 11, 26 and 29 are relevant to fuel storage and use in country regions. Penalties apply to those who contravene water source protection by-laws. Copies of these by-laws are available online from the State Law Publisher at <www.slp.wa.gov.au>. Advice and recommendations 1 Details of any temporary fuel storage facility proposed within a PDWSA should be submitted to our local regional office for approval. The submission should include a site plan, showing the lot or lease location coordinates where the tank will be used, relationship of the tank facility to local water resources and construction details for an appropriate fuel spill containment compound. 2 Tanks should be established on stable soil in an area that is not subject to flooding, unless conditions recommended by the department are satisfied. 3 Tanks should have the greatest possible clearance to the groundwater table, ideally a minimum of 2 m. 4 Recommended tank facilities to protect water resources are shown on Plan 2 Minimum criteria for trailer-mounted tanks and Plan 3 Minimum criteria for skid-mounted tanks (Appendix C). For Department of Water phone numbers and information on our regional offices see <www.water.wa.gov.au> select Contact us. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 2 of 12
5 The containment compound should have a minimum net volume of 110 per cent of the capacity of the largest tank or interconnected tank system, plus 25 per cent of the total (aggregate) capacity of all other separate tanks and chemical storage containers held within the compound. 6 Storage tanks should be located within containment compounds that effectively capture and fully contain any chemical spills. These compounds should also capture any leak or fluid jet from a breach of the tank or associated equipment. 7 Secondary spill containment around tanks (with a perimeter bund) should have sufficient freeboard capacity to contain all captured rainwater from a 20-year average return interval, 72-hour storm (reference 6). 8 Petroleum products should not be stored within reservoir protection zones or wellhead protection zones unless approved by the Department of Water. These protection zones are defined in drinking water source protection reports, available <http://drinkingwater.water.wa.gov.au>. Consideration should be given to use of natural gas powered motors for pumps and generators instead of those fuelled by liquid petroleum products. 9 The Metropolitan Water Supply Sewerage and Drainage By-laws 1981 prohibit elevated tanks within any designated wellhead protection zone in underground water pollution control areas, within P1 or P2 areas. 10 Within underground water pollution control areas, elevated storage tanks with a capacity of 5000 L or more are prohibited within P1 or P2 areas, unless the operator demonstrates the contamination risk would increase if multiple tank systems were used. 11 PDWSA catchment protection bylaws and the Environmental Protection Act 1986 prohibit the discharge to the environment of chemicals, noxious or other polluting matter in all parts of Western Australia. Penalties apply for people found to have contravened these statutes (see Appendix B). 12 Any significant fuel or other chemical spill to the environment within a PDWSA should be immediately reported to the Water Corporation by phoning 1800 626 636 and to the Department of Water (see contact details at the end of this note). 13 The Western Australian hazardous materials emergency management plan (Westplan- HAZMAT) should be deployed in the event of any significant fuel spill from a tanker or site facility which may threaten life, property or the environment. For detailed information, contact the Department of Fire and Emergency Services on 1800 630 766. 14 All containment compound lining systems should be inspected during installation by officers authorised by the department. 15 The site operator should inspect spill containment compounds as soon as practicable after any rainfall and following tank refuelling. Any liquids held within the containment area should be managed without delay in accordance with the following recommendation. 16 Any liquids including rainwater captured within the tank containment compound should be professionally tested for the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons. If no petroleum WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 3 of 12
hydrocarbons (or other toxic materials) are present, then the stormwater may be discharged to soakage. 17 If petroleum hydrocarbons or other potentially harmful fluids are detected, all liquid within the compound should be transferred by a licensed waste disposal contractor to a class IV landfill, waste recycling facility or disposal site approved by the Department of Environment Regulation s Waste management branch. For more information visit <www.der.wa.gov.au>. Appendix A: Information on public drinking water source areas, note limitations and updates Sensitive water resources Water resources sustain ecosystems, aquatic recreation and aesthetic values and provide drinking, industry and irrigation supplies. Along with breathable air, uncontaminated water is essential for viable communities. Natural waters must remain within defined quality limits to retain their ecological, social and economic values. To sustain these values these waters require appropriate protection measures to minimise contamination. Information on water quality parameters and processes to maintain water values are published in the Australian government s National water quality management strategy papers. These papers are available online at <www.environment.gov.au> select water > water policy and programs > water quality >. The Department of Water strives to improve community awareness of drinking water source catchment protection measures (for both surface water and groundwater), as part of a multi-barrier protection approach to sustain acceptable water resource quality. Human activity and many land uses pose a risk to water quality if contaminants are washed or leached into sensitive water bodies in significant quantities. Public drinking water source Overview Public drinking water source area (PDWSA) is the collective name given to any area proclaimed to manage and protect a community drinking water scheme source. PDWSA include underground water pollution control areas, water reserves and catchment areas administered under the Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909 or the Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947. For online information on the location of PDWSA, see <www.water.wa.gov.au> select tools and data > maps and atlases > geographic data atlas, then open environment > public drinking water source areas. Three priority areas (P1, P2 and P3) have been defined to guide land planning, rezoning and development approval processes within PDWSA. Priority areas are assigned based on the current local planning scheme zoning, land tenure, the water source s strategic value and its vulnerability to harm. Each priority area is managed using a specific risk based strategy to provide for effective water resource protection. P1, P2 and P3 areas are assigned via drinking water source protection plans or land use and water management strategies. This department develops these documents in consultation with other government agencies, landowners, industry and the community. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 4 of 12
P1 areas are defined to ensure that there is no degradation of the water source induced by significant or high risk human activity. These areas are declared over land where the provision of a high quality drinking water source for public use is the prime beneficial land value. P1 areas typically cover land controlled by a state government agency. P1 areas are managed in accordance with the principle of risk avoidance and so most land development and human activity is normally opposed. P2 areas are defined to ensure that there is no increased risk of pollution to the water source once a source protection plan has been published. These areas are declared over land where low intensity development (such as rural use) already exists. Protection of public water supply sources is a high priority in these areas. P2 areas are managed via the principle of risk minimisation, and so the intensity of land development is restricted (with management conditions) and activities with a low contamination risk are accepted. P3 areas are defined where it is necessary to manage the risk of pollution to a water source. These areas are declared over land where public water supply sources must coexist with other land uses such as residential, commercial and/or light industrial development. Protection of P3 areas is achieved through pollution control measures defined via environmental guidance (such as these notes) or via site-specific development conditions that limit the contamination risk to water resources from the land use or activity. If a drinking water source becomes significantly contaminated, then water supplied from P3 sources may need to be treated more intensively or an alternative water source found. Protection zones are also defined close to the point where drinking water is harvested or stored. These zones are known as wellhead protection zones (WHPZ) and reservoir protection zones (RPZ). Additional constraints provided under catchment protection statutes apply to activities within these zones to further safeguard an area closest to these vulnerable water sources. WHPZ are assigned around drinking water production wells. Specific land use restrictions apply in these zones. Groundwater in WHPZ moves rapidly towards wells due to the extraction pump depressurising the aquifer. Any contamination leaching from the ground surface within WHPZ can rapidly migrate into scheme water supplies (before effective remedial action can occur). In sedimentary basins, WHPZ are usually circular, with a radius of 500 metres in P1 areas and 300 metres in P2 and P3 areas. These zones do not extend beyond PDWSA boundaries. RPZ are defined over and around public water supply dams or pipe-head reservoirs. Statutory access and land use restrictions apply in RPZ. The aim is to restrict the likelihood of contaminants being deposited or washing into water sources following rainfall. RPZ within state-controlled land cover an area of up to two kilometres measured from the reservoir top water level and include the inundated area when the reservoir is full. For additional explanatory information on PDWSA, see our Water quality protection note (WQPN) 25 Land use compatibility in public drinking water source areas and WQPN 36 Protecting public drinking water source areas. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 5 of 12
Buffers to water supply sources Native vegetation buffers should separate compatible land use areas from the full supply level of reservoirs, their primary feeder streams and production bores used as a source of drinking water. Advice is provided on suitable buffer forms and dimensions in our WQPN 6 Vegetated buffers to sensitive water resources. Within clearing control catchments Specific controls on vegetation clearing for salinity management are provided under part IIA of the Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947. These controlled land areas apply within in the Wellington Dam, Harris River Dam, Mundaring Weir and Denmark River catchment areas and the Kent River and Warren River water reserves. Details on clearing controls may be obtained from our local regional office. For offices locations see online information at <www.water.wa.gov.au>, select Contact us. Established activities within PDWSA Many land use activities were approved and established before publication of a source protection plan or strategy. We encourage the operators of all established land use activities to progressively improve their environmental management facilities and practices so the risk to water resources is minimised (mindful of practical and economic constraints). New or expanded activities in PDWSA Any development proposals that could affect a drinking water source should be referred to this department s local regional office with detailed supporting information for an assessment and written response. The development proposal may be: approved (with or without conditions) delayed pending receipt of additional information before a decision is made; or opposed due to a statutory or policy conflict or inadequate protective measures provided to safeguard the water source. To assist the assessment, operators should demonstrate that under all operating conditions the facilities and processes used on-site do not pose a significant water contamination risk. Note limitations Many Western Australian aquifers, waterways and wetlands await detailed scientific evaluation, present data on their quality is sparse and their values remain unclassified. Unless demonstrated otherwise, any natural waters that are slightly disturbed by human activity are considered to have sensitive environmental values. Community support for these water values, the setting of practical management objectives, provision of sustainable protection services and effective implementation are vital to protecting or restoring water resources for both current needs and those of future generations. This note provides a general guide on environmental issues, and offers solutions based on data searches, professional judgement and precedents. Recommendations made in this note do not override any statutory obligation or government policy statement. Alternative practical environmental solutions suited to local conditions may be considered. This note s WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 6 of 12
recommendations shall not be used as this department s policy position on a specific matter, unless confirmed in writing. In addition, regulatory agencies should not use this note s recommendations in place of site-specific development conditions based on a project s assessed environmental risks. Any regulatory conditions should consider local environmental values, the safeguards in place and take a precautionary approach. Where a conflict arises between this note s recommendations and any activity that may affect a sensitive water resource, this note may be used to assist stakeholder negotiations. The negotiated outcome should not result in a greater water quality contamination risk than would apply if the recommended protection measures were used. Water quality protection note updates This note will be updated as new information is received, industry/activity standards change and resources permit. The currently approved version is available online at <www.water.wa.gov.au> select publications > find a publication > series browse > water quality protection notes. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 7 of 12
Appendix B: Statutory approvals relevant to this note include What s regulated? Western Australian statutes Regulatory body/agency Regulation of polluting activities Part V Environmental regulation Environmental protection (unauthorised discharges) regulations 2004 Department of Environment Regulation <www.der.wa.gov.au> Transport, storage and handling of fuels, solvents, explosive and other dangerous goods Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004 Dangerous goods safety regulations 2007 Department of Mines and Petroleum Resources Safety Division <www.dmp.wa.gov.au> Industrial sites in existing public drinking water source areas Chemical spills that threaten life or property Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909, and Bylaws 1981 Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947, and Bylaws 1957 Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia Act 1998 Department of Water - Regional office <www.water.wa.gov.au> Department of Fire and Emergency Services <www.dfes.wa.gov.au> Community health issues Health Act 1911 Local government Department of Health <www.health.wa.gov.au> Impact of significant development proposals on the values and ecology of land or natural waters Subdivision of land Land zoning and development approval Environmental Protection Act 1986 Part III - Environmental protection policies Part IV - Environmental impact assessment Planning and Development Act 2005 Minister for the Environment advised by the Environmental Protection Authority <www.epa.wa.gov.au> Western Australian Planning Commission; Department of Planning <www.planning.wa.gov.au> Local government Statutes are available online from the State Law Publisher at <www.slp.wa.gov.au>. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 8 of 12
Appendix C: Maps and diagrams WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 9 of 12
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References and further reading 1 Australian Government - National water quality management strategy papers, available online at <www.environment.gov.au> select water > water policy and programs > water quality > national water quality management strategy a Paper 2- Policies and principles, 1994 b Paper 3 - Implementation guidelines, 1998 c Paper 4 - Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality, 2000 d Paper 6 - Australian drinking water guidelines, 2011 e Paper 7 - Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, 2000 f Paper 9 Rural land uses and water quality - a community resource, 2000. This paper is available by contacting <www.awa.asn.au>, by email request to < bookshop@awa.asn.au > or from a library service. 2 The previous Department of Environment and Conservation (WA) publications a Wetlands policy and guidelines Position statement: Wetlands, WRC 2001; available www.dpaw.wa.gov.au b Waste management; available www.der.wa.gov.au Guidelines for acceptance of solid waste to landfill, 2001 Landfill waste classification and waste definitions (as amended) c Contaminated sites series, available www.der.wa.gov.au. 3 Department of Mines and Petroleum publications, available online at www.dmp.wa.gov.au, select Resources safety >Publications >Dangerous goods safety > Codes of practice Storage and handling of dangerous goods. 4 Department of Water publications, available online at <www.water.wa.gov.au> select publications > find a publication > series browse > a Water source protection policies, select State-wide policy State-wide policy 2 Pesticide use in public drinking water source areas 2000. b Water quality protection notes (WQPN), select water quality protection notes WQPN 22 Irrigation with nutrient-rich wastewater WQPN 25 Land use compatibility in public drinking water source areas WQPN 33 Nutrient and irrigation management plans WQPN 65 Toxic and hazardous substances - storage and use. c Water notes (WN), select water notes WN 10 Protecting riparian vegetation WN 11 Identifying the riparian zone WN 23 Determining foreshore reserves. WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 11 of 12
d Stormwater management manual for Western Australia, select managing water > urban water > stormwater > stormwater management manual e Foreshore policy 1 Identifying the foreshore area, 2002, select Managing water > Rivers and estuaries > Protecting > Foreshore policies 5 Environmental Protection Authority (WA) publications, available online at <www.epa.wa.gov.au> select guidance statements Guidance statement 3 Industrial-residential buffer guidelines Guidance statement 33 Environmental guidance for planning and development. 6 Engineers Australia publication, available for online purchase at <www.engaust.com.au/bookshop/eabookspub.html>. Australian rainfall and runoff. 7 Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (Australia) publication available at <www.iah.org.au/pdfs/mcrwba.pdf> Minimum construction requirements for water bores in Australia, 2003. 8 Standards Australia publication available for purchase at <www.saiglobal.com/shop/script/search.asp> AS 5667 Water quality sampling. Disclaimer This document has been published by the Department of Water. Any representation, statement, opinion or advice expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith and on the basis that the Department of Water and its employees are not liable for any damage or loss whatsoever which may occur as a result of action taken or not taken, as the case may be in respect of any representation, statement, opinion or advice referred to herein. Professional advice should be obtained before applying the information contained in this document to particular circumstances. Feedback We welcome your thoughts on this note. Feedback will help us prepare future versions. To comment on this note or seek any clarification, please contact our water source protection planning branch (details below), citing the note topic and version. Manager, Water Source Protection Planning Department of Water 168 St Georges Terrace PO Box K822 Perth Western Australia 6000 Perth Western Australia 6842 Telephone +61 8 6364 7600 Facsimile +61 8 6364 7601 Email waterquality@water.wa.gov.au National relay service 133 677 To locate our regional offices online, see www.water.wa.gov.au, then select Contact us. This publication is available online at <www.water.wa.gov.au> select Publications > find a publication > series browse > water quality protection notes. For those with special needs it can be made available in alternative formats such as audio, large print, or Braille. June 12-PR-512 WQPN 60 Tanks for mobile fuel storage in PDWSAs Page 12 of 12