Concern over the city’s aquifer has the city looking at putting greater conditions on all oil tanks.

Dave Albisser, the city’s manager of water and waste services, brought forward a recommendation at Monday’s council meeting that the city move ahead with drafting a bylaw around fuel storage.

While the city regulates residential fuel tanks up to 2,500 litres through its building and plumbing bylaw, other oil tanks don’t fall under the same city regulations.

As Albisser explained, the proposal comes out of concerns over protecting the city’s drinking water, coming from wells that draw from the Selkirk aquifer in Riverdale.

Albisser pointed to a 2013 water assessment and protection plan that was done. He noted it was concluded that fuel storage tanks in Riverdale, particularly larger commercial-type tanks, present a significant contamination risk to groundwater.

“The Selkirk aquifer is a shallow, unconfined aquifer located beneath Riverdale,” he said.

“The aquifer has been the sole source of the city’s drinking water since 2010. Water from the aquifer is drawn from seven wells, ranging from 21 to 44 metres deep.

“The water level in the wells near Selkirk Elementary School varies from 2.5 to 3.5 m below ground water.”

It’s only in recent years that the aquifer has served as the full water supply for those on the city’s system. However, the aquifer has supplemented the city’s system since the 1950s, when Schwatka Lake served as the main supply.

Sampling has indicated water from it is excellent, showing little evidence of any human impact.

A 2014 survey of 85 homes and businesses near the aquifer area found that more than 70 per cent of fuel tanks are deemed as being high-risk because of poor installation, lack of maintenance and/or tank quality issues.

“Three large underground automotive fuel tanks are of particular concern due to their age (25-plus years) and grandfathered permit status,” Albisser stated in his report to council.

While there are a number of federal and territorial regulations around fuel tanks, many of the large commercial tanks were installed prior to the current regulations coming into effect, Albisser said.

He went on to point out that if fuel leaked into the aquifer, the city could be forced to abandon its wells near the spill, as there would likely be permanent damage.

“As each well costs approximately $1 million to place in service, abandoning these wells would result in significant financial loss,” he noted in his report.

“The contamination could also force the city to return to Schwatka Lake for water supply needs, which would result in a city-wide ‘boil water order’ as required under the drinking water regulations.”

The proposed bylaw would be drafted to require inspections and/or maintenance on all fuel tanks to ensure any leaks or other issues are detected early and thus don’t have an impact on the city’s water supply.

During council discussion following Albisser’s presentation, he noted the bylaw could require a test each year or two on all tanks.

For underground tanks, he explained, a vacuum test is the least invasive way to test for leaks.

In other jurisdictions, tests are done every year or two. If the tank passes the test, a tag is provided showing it can continue to receive fuel from suppliers until the expiry date.

A number of council members expressed concerns over the urgency of the issue and making sure no fuel leaks into the aquifer.

Albisser was quick to stress it would take time for fuel even from the closest tank to reach the aquifer.

Even before any new regulations are passed through the proposed bylaw, Albisser said the bylaw will likely take about a year before it will come to council for discussion.

Along with getting the wording right, Albisser said, consultation will be very important, particularly with stakeholders in the industry who will be affected by the decision.

“Everybody needs to get on-board,” he said.

Council will vote next week on whether to have administration develop the bylaw.