WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
It was standard procedure locally during the 1960s, 70s and 80s to bury home heating oil tanks. Eventually steel tanks rust through and leak. Oil spills are unacceptable and expensive to clean up. Whomever owns the spill when it is discovered has to clean it up.

CONNECTICUT'S "AMNESTY PROGRAM"
For a limited time, limited funds are available from the State of Connecticut to reimburse contractors who clean up oil spills from residential buried oil tanks. Some costs of removal and cleanup are covered, others are not. Not all situations are covered. A contractor who was approved to seek such a reimbursement could tell you more.

WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
Try to find out if you are buying an oil spill with the house.

If the tank is:

Less than 10 years old: the risk of a serious spill having occurred to date is low. Your limited inspection dollars might best be spent elsewhere than on an oil tank leak test.

10 to 15 years old: testing may be the prudent option. While the tests are not 100% reliable and the tank could start leaking in the near future, the risk of a large spill in the near term can be controlled by testing. There are various testing methods.

A "Tank Protection Plan" in force does not eliminate the need for a test. Protection plans often do not cover big spills that began before the plans were taken out.

Over 15 years old: it would be prudent to remove the tank or retire it in place. Which options are available is up to the local fire marshal or health official now. Testing now may still be necessary to make sure you are not buying an oil spill.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I OWN THE HOUSE?
Plan on retiring the tank when it matures or investigate Connecticut's amnesty program now. Get a Tank Protection Plan from your oil service company (if available). Understand that a plan on an old tank may eventually become non-renewable before a latent oil spill is discovered.