The last thing any driver wants is an auto repair bill in the hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars due to contaminated fuel. Thankfully, the Texas Department of Agriculture offers drivers protection from being sold bad fuel. Launched a year ago, TDA's statewide fuel quality program was created to test motor fuel for contaminants such as water, and to ensure it meets national quality standards.

As a part of the fuel quality program, TDA inspectors test fuel for water and other contaminants that can cause cars to perform poorly and eventually break down. If inspectors find a problem, TDA can assess penalties up to $5,000 per fuel quality violation and stop the sale of fuel that is contaminated, not properly labeled or below national quality standards.

Since the program began 11 months ago, TDA has conducted 597 fuel quality inspections. Of those inspections, 72 percent passed fuel quality tests. Those fuel stations that failed tests were charged thousands of dollars in fines and endured countless costs in lost revenue after TDA forced them to stop the sale of fuel that was either contaminated or did not meet national standards.

No Texas driver should ever be the victim of bad fuel. If you suspect the sale of contaminated fuel, contact us through email at TellTDA@TexasAgriculture.gov or by phone at (800) TELL-TDA.