Spills occur for a variety of reasons including corrosion, overfilling, improper tank location, and improper installation or maintenance.

Remember that you, the homeowner, are responsible for reporting and cleaning up an oil spill. Once an accident occurs, you must act immediately to stop the spread of oil and start the cleanup.

How big is the problem?

Emergency calls regarding oil spills are typically reported through the Canadian Coast Guard Regional Operations Center Environmental Emergency Number (1-800-565-1633). Although the number of spills appears to be declining, each year in Nova Scotia there are still hundreds of spills from home heating oil tanks.