Raleigh Gas Stations Experience Increased Reports of Water in Fuel: What You Need to Know

When Rashaun Brown fills up his truck, he expects to get what he paid for. But recently, he’s noticed something strange—many gas stations in Raleigh have pumps that are bagged and out of service.

Brown, who relies on his vehicle for work, stopped at a Raleigh gas station Thursday morning. He, along with other drivers, wondered why so many pumps are out of order.

Melissa Spencer, a supervisor with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Fuel Quality Lab, explained that the problem might not be with the fuel itself but with the pumps. However, the state has seen a spike in complaints this month—about 50 reports in total, half of which mentioned water in the fuel.

Spencer said, “How water gets into the fuel is hard to say. It could be from cracks in the tanks or pipes, or rising water levels after heavy rain.”

North Carolina recently experienced several inches of rain from Tropical Storm Debby, which might be linked to the increased complaints. In January, there were 36 complaints, but this month has seen even more.

So far this year, there have been about 236 complaints. Spencer emphasized that they take each complaint seriously and investigate every report, even if it’s months after the purchase.

Complaints have come from 37 gas stations across the state, and some stations have multiple reports. If the Fuel Quality Lab finds water in the tanks, they stop the station from selling gas until the issue is fixed.

Spencer said they try to respond to complaints within 24 hours, but not every driver files a report. The sooner they get complaints, the sooner they can investigate.

Vincent Belmonte, General Manager at Epic Auto Center in Raleigh, said water in fuel can cause serious damage to vehicles, leading to expensive repairs. He advised that if customers suspect water in their fuel, they should have their car towed to a mechanic.

Belmonte noted that customers often end up paying for repairs themselves, but sometimes, issues are resolved between the gas station and the customer. Spencer added that while the number of complaints is relatively low compared to the 7,000 gas stations across the state, it’s important to ensure drivers get the quality fuel they pay for.

If you notice bagged or slow pumps, it could indicate a problem. Spencer also warned against buying gas during a delivery, as it can stir up dirt and particles.