AUSTIN (KXAN) — Following Hurricane Beryl's landfall in Texas last week, some consumers might have purchased potentially contaminated fuel from flooding and should file a complaint with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the agency announced Monday.
TDLR officials said heavy flooding can occasionally cause water to enter underground fuel storage tanks. As a result, that can contaminate the gasoline supply the floodwaters come into contact with.
Those who suspect this happened to them are advised to file a complaint with TDLR as soon as possible, selecting "Fuel Metering & Quality" from the drop-down menu linked here. Officials said timeliness is key because "if the station gets deliveries between the incident and the investigation, it can be difficult to prove the fuel did not meet specifications because the contaminated fuel may be diluted or completely dispensed," officials said in the notice.
Filed complaints should include fuel receipts, fuel type, octane rating, pump number and as many details as possible about the station or possible damages to one's vehicle as a result of contaminated fuel.
Impacted customers should also contact the station's management or chain headquarters to report the issue. TDLR will simultaneously investigate the fuel quality issues. After receiving a complaint, TDLR officials will see if it makes sense to dispatch an investigator to the site to sample the fuel and determine if it's officially contaminated.
"Motor fuel dealers and operators are reminded to visually inspect motor fuel metering devices, filtering equipment and storage tanks to ensure there is no contamination and that all items are in proper working order," the release added.
