Fuel contamination is a common topic when discussing diesel storage. Those who keep diesel for extended periods of time will often worry about what will happen if water leaks into their supply and what they should do if this occurs. Water ingress can occur from time to time either through an open fill point, via a vent, or through condensation. 

While any fuel can become contaminated by water, the issue is particularly relevant to diesel. It is extremely important that water content in diesel is kept to a minimum because it encourages the growth of microbes, and rust steel and leads to the formation of gums and resins which can stick to the side of fuel tanks and injectors. It can even cause layers of sediment to build up inside the tank, critically affecting the power produced by the engine.

What To Do If You Suspect Contamination

If you suspect that your diesel may be contaminated it is possible to have it tested, but there are a few telling signs that can indicate a problem without complex testing. Depending on the type of water contamination you have in your tank, the diesel itself may take on a different appearance.

Diesel is usually clear in appearance, but the presence of suspended water will give it a cloudy appearance. Suspended water is water that is mixed in with the diesel. As the fuel passes through pumps and filters, this water content can then become completely emulsified with the diesel, giving the diesel not only a cloudy appearance but one that is best described as being milky.

Apart from suspended and emulsified contamination, there is a third kind of water contamination, known as free water, which is harder to detect by eye from the outside of the tank. This is what happens when a layer of water forms underneath the fuel itself. The fuel may appear to be almost normal, but as it is lying on top of a layer of water, which has sunk to the bottom of the tank, numerous contaminations occur, lowering the quality of the fuel. This layer between the fuel and water is the perfect environment for the growth of microbial bacteria. Over time the bacteria will grow and feed, creating colonies that become very difficult to break up, resulting in a dark brown to black sludge. If this microbial bacteria is not dealt with immediately, there are significant long term side effects, including rust and tank corrosion as the microbes eventually start to eat away at the tank. It is therefore essential to regularly check for rust, cracks or holes in your tanks.

How To Check If Your Tank Is Contaminated

The most effective way to test for free water is to use a water finding paste, on the end of a dipstick when checking the storage tank fuel level. Your suppliers should be able to advise on what kind of paste is necessary and where to find it, and in the event that water is found, assist you with its removal.

What To Do If You Find Micro-Organisms In Your Tank

A large percentage of contaminants can be removed by simply draining the tank until you can see clear diesel. This method does, however, leave trace residues of micro-organisms clinging to the walls of the tank. It will be necessary to destroy these micro-organisms by using an approved biocide in the remaining diesel to avoid a return of the microbes. Again your supply company will be able to advise you on the best biocides and the correct amounts to use to get the job done.

There are, of course, things you can do to lower the chances of there ever being water contamination in your storage tank in the first place:

• If possible, use an above-ground storage tank
  
  A 2016 Purdue University publication revealed that above-ground storage tanks (ASTs) are almost always the best choice. The primary advantages of ASTs are that they can be easily inspected and painted, making rust and leaks less likely, and they can be safely relocated to a different part of the property as circumstances dictate.
  
  
• Fill up as infrequently as possible
  
  Try to minimise fill-ups as these are weak points at which water can enter the system. When you fill-up, do so when the tank is almost empty and then fill as high as possible.
  
  
• Cap your pipes
  
  The fill pipe must be properly capped and sealed to prevent rain from penetrating, while the vent pipe must also be capped with a shielded vent cap and located away from roof edges where water could splash onto the tank and up into the vent pipe.
  
  
• Location
  
  Any AST should ideally be located on a high, well-drained site away from any buildings or water tributaries. This helps prevent water from building up around the tank or running into the tank.
  
  
• Regular checks and housekeeping
  
  The best way to ensure water does not contaminate your diesel storage and that microbes do not build up, is simply to be constantly aware of the levels of water in your storage and to employ good housekeeping practices. Frequently use water-finding paste when checking tank levels and periodically check the drain valves to remove water. These practices prevent water from building up in the tanks. You should also ensure that the seals on your storage are replaced in good time to prevent rainwater contamination.