Leighton O’Brien launches Australian groundwater monitoring service

Melbourne, Australia, 14 March 2017 – Leighton O’Brien has launched a groundwater monitoring service in Australia to assist retail fuel operators to meet their compliance obligations and reduce the risk of groundwater contamination.

The new service offering follows a recent EPA survey on Underground Petroleum Storage Systems (UPSS) practices which found many fuel operators did not know if their site was compliant with groundwater monitoring guidelines.

Leighton O’Brien general manager of Field Services, Toby Griffin, said site owners were exposing their business to huge commercial and environmental risk if they weren’t aware of their obligations.

“Groundwater contamination resulting from leaking fuel tanks, delivery or dispensing spills poses a huge risk for underground fuel tank operators, especially if the pollution goes beyond their own site.

“As well as mandatory leak detection systems like SIRA, under NSW regulations you must have groundwater monitoring wells installed and monitored every six months. In Victoria you’re required to undertake groundwater monitoring if you have a sensitive site.

“But any responsible site operator sitting on thousands of litres of fuel underground should know the potential for groundwater contamination both on their site and neighbouring properties, which opens up huge liability concerns.

“Reducing your site’s environmental liability and keeping groundwater monitoring records also increases the value of your asset should you wish to sell down the track.

“Groundwater monitoring isn’t as onerous and expensive as you may think. Leighton O’Brien can help you understand your groundwater monitoring obligations, determine if your site is sensitive and establish a baseline of groundwater quality.

“It’s a natural extension of our business given our expertise in SIRA leak detection and tank integrity testing, so we can truly offer a one-stop-shop for our customers,” he said.