Underground Sanford oil tank leaking

SANFORD, Fla. — A leak has afflicted an underground storage tank that stores gallons of used engine oil in Sanford's fleet maintenance complex.

It's where city employees work on more than 400 vehicles.

Officials at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said they're keeping a watch on how the city of Sanford cleans up the mess.

"What we are concerned with is the environment and protecting the environment and our resources," said Christine Daniel with the FDEP.

State environmental officials got an anonymous tip the tank was leaking.

Officials said the soil around the tank is contaminated and work is underway to find out how far the oil has spread.

"We are very happy the city has worked with us very well on this. Corrective actions are being implemented and we are going to fix the problem," Daniel said.

There's another problem.

Officials said the tank isn't in compliance and wasn't registered with the state.

Taxpayers have to pay to remove it and the contaminated soil, in addition to about $1,000 in penalties and fees.

FDEP inspects tens of thousands of similar tanks a year and it's not uncommon to find some that aren't registered or not in compliance.

WFTV