Anhydrous ammonia dealers are relieved their industry found an affordable way around new government regulations which could have cost them $40 million over the next decade.
In 1995, the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers found out its members would have to hydrostatically test tanks and applicators for leaks every five years.
The test involves pumping water into a tank and pressuring it to 1.5 times its rating to detect tiny stress-corrosion cracks.
In a news release, the president of the association said an owner of 20 tanks would have had to pay between $6,000 and $10,000 every five years under the original regulation.
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But Garth Rowswell said under the revised regulation, the same owner will likely have to pay only $400 to $500 in the same period.
“The creating of an alternative program became necessary when a thorough review of hydrostatic testing yielded inconclusive results,” said Rowswell, a dealer in Vermilion, Alta.
Under the revised rules, dealers have five years to register their tanks. About 2,500 out of 12,000 tanks will go on the records this year.
Owners must visually inspect their tanks every year and keep records of the inspections on file. Every five years, they must do a more detailed inspection.
They must report any repairs to the tanks and any tanks removed from use to the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers.
The Ammonia Safety Council will train inspectors who will check registered tanks periodically.
Owners who don’t stick to the inspection program will be required to hydrostatically test their tanks.
