Leaving the oil tank on the ground
Last updated: 20.04.2026The environmental protection regulations of the municipality of Hollola require that decommissioned underground oil tanks are cleaned and removed from the soil along with the pipelines. The requirement can only be relaxed for a justified reason. Old tanks can be located in such a place that it is technically difficult or impossible to remove them, e.g. without breaking the building's structures or causing a risk of collapse.
An exemption from the obligation to remove a tank can be applied for in writing from the environmental protection authority. An application for leaving a decommissioned oil tank in the ground is submitted to the registry office. The environmental protection authority will make a decision on the matter, for which a fee will be charged. A tank located in a bunker is not considered underground, so it is not necessary to apply for an exemption from environmental protection regulations to leave a tank in a bunker in the ground.
A tank left on the ground (or in a bunker) must always be emptied, cleaned and inspected by an inspection company authorized by Tukes, and the tank filling pipe must be plugged or otherwise prevented from being used. It is recommended to remove the tank filling pipe, air pipe and overfill prevention device. A certificate of decommissioning of the oil tank must be sent to the rescue service at palotarkastaja@paijatha.fi.
The application can be free-form and must present:
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPERTY
Property owner/holder and contact information
Address of the property
Property ID
INFORMATION ABOUT THE TANK
Material
Tank capacity and age
Inspection and cleaning date
Inspection/cleaning agent
GROUNDS FOR LEAVING THE GROUND
For example, the tank is located in a place where it is difficult to remove it. Where?
Removing the container may damage structures. What and how?
ATTACHED is a copy of the inspection protocol and a station diagram or similar, which shows the location of the tank.
On the website of the Päijät-Häme rescue service, you can find instructions for decommissioning the oil tank as well as for other matters related to household oil heating and chemical storage.
You can search for authorized inspection companies operating in the area from the TUKES operator register. Oil tank inspection companies operating in the Hollola area can be found by selecting “inspection companies (oil tanks)” from the operating rights menu and, for example, Hollola and Lahti from the municipalities menu.