DMS Finds Increasing Contamination of Diesel Fuel - What You Can Do

CIOMA has become aware that the Division of Measurement Standards (DMS, the State's weights & measures department) is increasing scrutiny on diesel sales. The problem is that they are finding, more regularly, that diesel fuel is contaminated with sediment and particulates.

Ongoing studies at the national level are finding this situation also. A variety of reasons are involved, but a lot of it has to do with removing sulfur from diesel fuel. Sulfur is a good antibiotic and its removal allows microbe contamination. Microbes can foul fuel and can also increase damage and corrosion to tanks, fittings, etc.

Click here for a recent Coordinating Research Council Maintenance Guide on this matter.

Here's our advice for now:

• Increase scrutiny of your diesel loads, tanks. piping and pumps.
• Be aware of contaminated fuel before inspectors discover the problem.
• If you receive a contaminated load make sure to advise your fuel supplier (this applies to any transaction along the supply chain).
• If you suspect receipt of contaminated fuel from a terminal, contact DMS and ask them to investigate.
• Inspect and replace fuel filters more frequently. Make sure you are using a filter size that effectively cleans the fuel.
• Have tanks inspected if you believe they are contributing to the problem.
• Avoid water intrusion into your tanks.

We will continue dialogue with DMS on this issue and provide additional details as they come forward. This issue started in the northwest portion of the state, but regular inspections at other locations are turning up increased contamination findings.

We are also working with our national associations, especially PMAA, in future dialogue on this matter. It is PMAA's position that all points along the fuel supply chain need to be working cooperatively on this matter, not just apply bandages at the end of the distribution chain.

Being proactive is the right thing to do for your company and your customers.