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Keep Gasoline From Your Drinking Water
Gasoline is one of the most dangerous products commonly found around the
home, yet people sometimes use it and store it with little care. Some of the
more toxic chemicals in gasoline that have been found in gasoline spills can
contaminate your drinking water well or public water supply.
How to Protect Your Drinking Water from Gasoline
Avoid spilling gasoline on the ground, especially near wells.
Keep refueling and engine work away from water supply wells. Do the work
over a concrete floor or similar barrier, and immediately clean up any gas or
oil spills.
Don't top off your tank when filling your lawn mower, snow blower, etc.
Don't drain gasoline from these machines onto the ground.
Don't ever use gasoline to burn brush.
Don't use gasoline as a weed killer.
Don't pour gasoline down animal burrows.
Don't use gasoline as an insect killer.
Avoid spilling gasoline in lakes, ponds, and rivers
Fill portable tanks from outboard engines on shore, not near water. If you
own a larger boat, make sure it has no-spill tank vents.
Keep special gasoline-absorbing pads on your gasoline-powered boat; know
how to use them.
Refuel snowmobiles and ice augers onshore; do not take gasoline storage
tanks onto ice-covered ponds.
Store gasoline properly
Use a clearly labeled container made for gasoline, with a spout to avoid
spills.
Keep gasoline containers in a dry, well-ventilated shed or detached garage
away from water supply wells. Don't keep metal gasoline cans on a dirt floor
for extended periods.
Dispose of waste gasoline properly
Handle old or dirty gasoline as hazardous waste. Bring it to a household
hazardous waste collection site in a proper gasoline container.
What To Do If A Petroleum Spill Occurs
First, stop the discharge and prevent any further spillage. Then contact your
local fire department. If the spill affects any surface or groundwater, or if
the spill is greater than 25 gallons, you must notify the N.H. Department of
Environmental Services at (603) 271-3644 during normal working hours (8:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). At all other times, contact with the DES may be
made via N.H. State Police Dispatch at 1-800-346-4009.
Disclaimer:
Information contained in this Fact Sheet is current as of January 1, 2004.
Statutory or regulatory changes that may occur between January 1, 2004, and the
expiration date of this Fact Sheet may cause part or all of the information to
be invalid. If there are any questions concerning the status of this
information, please contact DES at (603) 271-3644.
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