Eliminating Water Contamination in Diesel Storage Tanks in PA

Penn Valley Gas | Pennsylvania

Fuel storage, distribution, and fleet operations

Dwane Balmer, Owner

Background

Family-owned and operated for over 60 years, Penn Valley Gas is a leading provider of dependable fuel and propane service across Pennsylvania. In 2023, its team detected water contamination in a 10,000-gallon above-ground diesel tank. They knew that if left untreated, this contamination could lead to corrosion, microbial growth, and costly maintenance issues.

“We called Tim Porter at Advanced Fuel Solutions right away to help identify what was going on,” says Dwane Balmer, Owner of Penn Valley Gas. “Tim responded quickly, visited our site, and obtained a bottom sample from the tank,” he points out.  “The sample didn’t look like diesel. Lab testing confirmed the presence of both free and entrained water in the fuel. We needed to fix it before it damaged the tank or filters,” Dwane adds.

Problem

Water is the most destructive contaminant in stored fuel. It causes rust, sludge buildup, and microbial activity that clog filters, foul injectors, and accelerate tank corrosion. In Penn Valley’s case, repeated alarms and cloudy fuel indicated both free and suspended water were present.

“Without prompt remediation, the contamination could have compromised their entire bulk system, including fuel reliability, dispenser filters, and downstream equipment performance,” explains AFS Regional Sales Manager Tim Porter.

Testing and Analysis

After conducting a Fuel Analysis, Tim guided Penn Valley through a step-by-step remediation plan using OPT-Moisture/TD (Tank Dry), a powerful moisture dispersant and dewatering agent.

“Tim explained exactly what was happening and how to safely pull the water out of suspension,” Dwane notes. “He even suggested lifting one end of the tank so the separated water could collect at the low point for easy removal.”

Within 24 hours, the team observed a clear separation at the tank bottom, which allowed them to pump off the water with minimal diesel loss. Follow-up lab testing confirmed that entrained water levels had been reduced to within ASTM D975 specifications.

Experiencing water or microbial issues in your fuel system? Contact AFS for a complimentary fuel analysis.

Solution

To prevent a recurrence of water contamination, Penn Valley adopted Tank Dry for regular treatment. The additive actively absorbs and removes trace moisture from diesel, heating oil, and Bioheat® fuels, preventing corrosion, microbial growth, and false probe readings.

“Tank Dry has become part of our preventative maintenance routine. We’re maintaining clean, dry fuel and reliable tank readings year-round.” —Jesse Balmer, Penn Valley Fleet Mgr.

“Tank Dry has become part of our preventative maintenance routine,” says Jesse Balmer, Fleet Manager. “We’re maintaining clean, dry fuel and reliable tank readings year-round.”

Results

After treatment, Penn Valley Gas reported:

• Elimination of visible free water and cloudy fuel

• Cleaner filters and improved tank condition

• Compliance with ASTM water content standards

“The results were excellent—clean, dry fuel, reliable probe readings, and peace of mind that our fuel system is protected for the long haul,” Dwane adds.

Continued Service

AFS provides ongoing support through periodic tank sampling, laboratory verification, and seasonal additive planning. This ensures Penn Valley Gas maintains fuel integrity in both storage and winter conditions.

About Advanced Fuel Solutions

Founded in 1994, Advanced Fuel Solutions, Inc. formulates proprietary, high-performance additive packages for diesel, gasoline, biodiesel, marine, and heating fuels. Serving bulk fuel terminals, distributors, fleets, and energy marketers nationwide, AFS helps customers solve fuel quality challenges and maintain operational reliability. Visit our website to learn more.