Though we usually don’t notice them, underground storage tanks (USTs) are everywhere. Out of sight, however, shouldn’t mean out of mind. Because USTs often contain substances such as diesel fuel or gasoline, they’re subject to a number of regulations. These regulations ensure that owners take the appropriate steps to contain and/or prevent environmentally damaging leaks or spills.
USTs are regulated by the EPA or by the state in which they’re located. Specific regulations vary from state to state, but they generally include the following requirements, at a minimum:
• Keep business licenses and any required UST endorsements current.
• Insure the tank to pay for any necessary cleanup after a leak or spill.
• Install corrosion protection for metal tanks and test the corrosion protection regularly.
• Install leak detection for the tank and piping and test it regularly.
• Test the integrity of the tank and the piping regularly.
• Obtain training and certification for tank operators.
• Keep records of leak detection reports, leak detection testing, corrosion protection testing, and tank maintenance for a defined period of time.
If a facility’s total UST capacity is 42,000 gallons or greater, it may also be subject to the Spill Prevention, Cleanup, and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule. Remember that even if the SPCC Rule does not apply to your facility, UST regulations still do. Check with your state regulatory agency for regulations specific to your state.
If you would like to know more about how Freer Consulting can help you with UST regulatory compliance, please take a moment to fill out and return our storage tank survey here and return it to us at [email protected].