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Wilmington Gas Station’s Underground Storage Tank Case Settled

Release Date: 4/3/2002
Contact Information: Bonnie Smith 215-814-5543

Contact: Bonnie Smith (215) 814-5543

PHILADELPHIA – The operator of the Getty Service Station on 4700 Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington, Del., has settled alleged violations of underground storage tank regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

Station operator Zakaria Alkaysi agreed to pay a $2,850 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal and Delaware regulations designed to prevent, detect, and control fuel leaks from underground storage tanks.

Based on a May 24, 2001 inspection, EPA cited Mr. Alkaysi for operating four underground fuel storage tanks without required spill protection devices around the fill pipes and failing to measure and record monthly levels in the tanks. Each of the tanks has a capacity of 8,000 gallons. Gasoline is stored in three of the tanks and diesel fuel in the fourth.

As part of the settlement, Mr. Alkaysi neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but agreed to comply with applicable underground storage tank requirements. The required spill protection devices were installed by the owner soon after EPA’s inspection.

With billions of gallons of fuel stored in underground tanks throughout the U.S., possible leaks from these tanks pose a constant threat to land and water resources. Spill prevention regulations are designed to reduce the serious health and environmental risks of oil and petroleum product leaks and spills.