Photography Credit: Erik Mclean
A hurricane just hit. Is that fuel sold at the local gas station still safe to use? So we talked with a trusted friend in the fuel business.
First, those vents that you see at every gas station? The openings sit well above ground level and feature check valves.
And the tanks themselves? Even though most of those tanks sit below ground, they feature water-tight caps and seals intended to prevent water intrusion. Those seals are designed to fend off both heavy rains as well as standing water from abnormal events like hurricanes and floods.
Should water enter the tanks, however, checks are in place: The tanks themselves have sensors to track any water intrusion. If water enters a tank, it will be detected as it collects at the bottom of the tank–remember, gasoline floats on top of water. Stations should then stop sales and investigate any abnormal water readings.
Another safety check: Stations also should be operating using filters designed to stop flow upon the presence of water or dissolved water content. When those filters encounter a certain concentration of water, they stop the flow of gasoline.
And what to do if you think your fuel has been contaminated with water? If a water issue is suspected, a consumer should report it to the station immediately and also report it to the brand in question for investigation.
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