Has anyone ever fueled at a station with above ground tanks?

[y_p_w]

The only time I previously recall hearing something about above ground tanks was with Costco and their then "Clean Power" system where the fuel additive was stored onsite. But back then some industry presentation states that some of these tanks were above ground.

I don't think I've ever seen above ground tanks. As a kid I used "kid logic" and deduced that the fuel dispensed was stored in the part of the pump I could see. So when I saw one station with these really slim bases, I was wondering how they didn't run out of fuel quickly.

But yeah - apparently some have gone to above ground tanks. I could see how it could be much easier than dealing with digging up the old tanks when they need to be replaced. But they have to have their downsides other than just appearance.

 

[eljefino]

I've seen tanks like that on the Maine Turnpike as temporary fixtures when they're digging up the underground storage tanks. Apparently they don't want to (can't?) close the service plazas.

Bought gas from a "Rebel" branded station that was somehow affiliated with "Union" in Nevada from an above ground storage tank. It had a concrete berm around it as required for spill control. Probably easier to handle that in an area with little rain and no freezing.

 

[Snagglefoot]

We have above ground tanks but they are about 100 ft away from the pumps. It’s common where the real estate is cheaper.

 

[JayhawkRoy]

There are a few in SE Ks and SW Mo. For example I use a store in Fort Scott, KS whose tanks are above ground. Not sure if ones near Springfield, Mo are still operational.

 

[Kira]

Early '60's at a small station in Vermont, south of Burlington.

 

[Chris142]

I have been driving 40+ years and can't remember ever seeing that

 

[HemiBenny]

I can’t remember ever seeing that myself. I’m not saying it isn’t possible that a younger “me” didn’t pay attention, but I sure don’t recall it.

 

[bovine1]

We have them at work. We had a country gas station here that had them but it's closed now. Our bulk plant when I was growing up had them.

 

[JavierH19]

Haven't ever seen that before.

 

[BHopkins]

Above ground tanks were very common in the '60's and '70's. I can't remember when, but there was a requirement to put a containment berm around the tanks. I occasionally see old gas stations that still have above ground tanks.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Seen some in Nova Scotia back in 2001.

 

[MNgopher]

Yes - more common in places with shallow groundwater or places with bedrock or large rocky soil at the surface - many stations in the Canadian Shield have above ground tanks for this reason.

 

[bruckus]

Fueled last weekend in Grantsburg, WI

 

[hank2]

I believe that I've seen them in Canada. It's been at least 25 years since I've been there.

 

[Cherrybomb]

Most bulk tank farms are where you are most likely to see them.Gas stations need the room,so underground they go

 

[Dave Hess]

Hmm.

Those are easy targets if someone idiot wanted to cause trouble and shoot them up.

 

[97prizm]

The only time I previously recall hearing something about above ground tanks was with Costco and their then "Clean Power" system where the fuel additive was stored onsite. But back then some industry presentation states that some of these tanks were above ground.

I don't think I've ever seen above ground tanks. As a kid I used "kid logic" and deduced that the fuel dispensed was stored in the part of the pump I could see. So when I saw one station with these really slim bases, I was wondering how they didn't run out of fuel quickly.

But yeah - apparently some have gone to above ground tanks. I could see how it could be much easier than dealing with digging up the old tanks when they need to be replaced. But they have to have their downsides other than just appearance.

Some airports have above ground tanks. More and more are being pushed this way.

 

[nomas]

After Hurricane Katrina we fueled up directly from tanker trucks . That was different .

 

[mk378]

They would need to be equipped with a large pump to refill the tanks from a tanker truck. With underground tanks the tanker simply "drops" gas into the station's storage tanks by gravity. There is no pump on the tanker truck.

 

[walterjay]

Never that I can recall