What percentage should a dike around a liquid pesticide storage area be able to contain, in addition to the tank volume?

• A. 5
• B. 10
• C. 25
• D. 50

Answer: (B)

Containment capacity around a liquid pesticide storage area must accommodate the largest tank plus a small extra for spills or rain. The extra amount is ten percent of the tank’s volume, so the dike should hold 110% of the largest tank’s capacity. This safety margin helps prevent any liquid from escaping the area if a leak occurs or if precipitation collects. For example, a 1,000-gallon tank would need a dike capable of containing 1,100 gallons. The other percentages would either fall short of potential spills or be unnecessarily large.