Domestic Oil Spills

Home heating oil spills can occur due to storage tank leaks, overfilling, or heating system malfunctions. These incidents often result in the contamination of basements, concrete slabs, and the underlying soil or groundwater. Specialized Onsite Services Inc. is your trusted partner for environmental spill cleanup. Our qualified team ensures thorough oil removal, residue-free surfaces, and efficient odor elimination using advanced ventilation. We strictly comply with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP) and TSSA requirements to ensure the long-term safety of your property.

Fuel oil spills are commonly associated with underground fuel storage tank (UST) leaks. Over time, corrosion can cause perforations in these tanks, posing significant environmental risks. As buried storage tanks are found on both residential and commercial/industrial properties, addressing these spills promptly is crucial for environmental safety and liability mitigation.

Both home heating oil and fuel oil spills are typically regulated by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), especially when related to heating appliances or fuel dispensing operations. While the TSSA governs spills within property boundaries, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MOECP) assumes oversight if a spill reaches the groundwater table or migrates off-site.

Upon completing spill remediation, a final technical report—signed and stamped by a Qualified Person (QP) such as an Environmental Engineer—is mandatory for site closure and insurance purposes.

Step 1: Immediate spill containment to prevent further migration.

Step 2: Efficient recovery of spilled oil using professional-grade equipment.

Step 3: Proper collection and stabilization of contaminated sorbents.

Step 4: Secure handling and legal disposal of all hazardous waste.

Step 5: Confirmatory Sampling to verify that soil and groundwater meet the generic Site Condition Standards as defined by O. Reg. 153/04, providing the final proof of cleanup for legal site closure

While spills are often accidental, the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and the Environmental Enforcement Act mandate a "Duty to Report" and a "Duty to Clean Up." Failure to remediate a spill can result in significant penalties.

Upon completing spill remediation, a final technical report—signed and stamped by a Qualified Person (QP) such as an Environmental Engineer—is mandatory for site closure. At SOS, our reports are specifically formatted as Insurance-Ready Documentation, providing the technical evidence required for claim approval and ensuring no future liability during property transactions or mortgage renewals.

Penalties

• 187. (1) Every individual convicted of an offence under section 186, other than an offence described in subsection (3), is liable,
  • (a) on a first conviction, for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues, to a fine of not more than $50,000; and
  • (b) on each subsequent conviction,
    • (i) for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues, to a fine of not more than $100,000,
    • (ii) to imprisonment for a term of not more than one year, or
    • (iii) to both such fine and imprisonment. 2005, c. 12, s. 1 (57).

Same: corporations

• 187. (2) Every corporation convicted of an offence under section 186, other than an offence described in subsection (3), is liable,
  • (a) on a first conviction, for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues, to a fine of not more than $250,000; and
  • (b) on each subsequent conviction, for each day or part of a day on which the offence occurs or continues, to a fine of not more than $500,000. 2005, c. 12, s. 1 (57).

We provide Home Heating Oil Spills Cleanup services throughout Southern Ontario: