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  2. Region 10 Tribal Programs

USTs in Region 10 Indian Country: Is your facility ready?

Owners of underground storage tanks (USTs) are responsible for understanding their regulatory requirements. EPA enacted revisions to the 1988 federal UST regulations that became effective on October 13, 2015. As of October 13, 2018, new testing and inspection requirements were due.

EPA can provide you with technical assistance

Call us at 206-553-1200 or 800-424-4372 and ask for the UST Program, or contact one of our UST inspectors:

  • Charlotte Boulind-Yeung (boulind-yeung.charlotte@epa.gov), 206-553-6315.
  • Mark Willoughby (willoughby.mark@epa.gov), 360-753-9477.

What you need to know

Walk-through inspections

The following outlines what you must complete, record and keep for walkthrough inspections:

Every 30 days

  • For spill buckets, remove liquid or debris, visually check for damage and any leaks in the interstice if double walled. Also check the fill pipe for obstructions and check that the fill cap is securely on the fill pipe. Note: If receiving deliveries at intervals greater than every 30 days, then conduct prior to each delivery.
  • For release detection, review monthly leak detection results to ensure that the equipment is operating with no alarms or unusual operating conditions and that release detection records are current.

Annually

  • For containment sumps (e.g. turbine sumps and under dispenser sumps), remove any debris and liquid, and check for damage and any leaks in the containment area and interstice if double walled.
  • For release detection, test equipment like tank monitors for proper operation (i.e. tank monitor certification) and check any handheld equipment (i.e. tank sticks) for operability if using them.

Learn more about walkthrough inspections.

Spill prevention, overfill equipment, and containment sumps

Release prevention equipment must now be inspected and tested to ensure proper operation.

Every 3 Years

  • Test the spill buckets or catchment basins for liquid tightness. Test is not required if double walled and you monitor the integrity of both walls every 30 days.
  • Test all containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping for liquid tightness. Test is not required if double walled and you monitor the integrity of both walls annually. Test also not required if piping was installed prior to April 11, 2016 AND is not being interstitially monitored.
  • Inspect and document the operability of overfill prevention devices (e.g. ball floats, automatic shut-off devices, alarms).

Learn more

  • Overfill prevention equipment inspections.
  • Spill buckets, under dispenser containment sumps, and containment sumps.
  • Release detection equipment testing.

Piping and repairs

If you need to repair 50% or more of your piping in a single run, then the following requirements apply:

  • The entire piping run must be replaced with secondarily contained piping (double walled and containment sumps) and have monthly interstitial monitoring.
  • Testing of all containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring of piping is to be conducted every 3 years.
  • All repaired components must be tested or inspected 30 days after the repair has been made.

Learn more about piping and repairs: Musts for USTs.

Operator training and certification

You must have designated (assigned), trained and certified Class A, B and C UST operators.

  • Certification exams for Class A and B operators can be accessed at EPA’s website and are 100% free of cost.
  • A score of 80% or greater qualifies individuals as trained operators.
  • The exam can be taken an unlimited number of times.
  • Other comparable training programs can be used provided they cover and evaluate the operator in each topic area.

Learn more about operator training and certification: Class A and Class B Operator Exams.

Changing Ownership or Types of Fuel Stored

You must notify the EPA if the facility’s ownership is changing or if you are changing the type of fuel stored.

  • A new owner of a UST must submit a notice of ownership change to EPA within 30 days of assuming ownership.
  • You must provide EPA notice at least 30 days prior to switching to substances containing greater than 10% ethanol or greater than 20% biodiesel. You must demonstrate that the components of your UST system are compatible with the substance stored.

Download a Notification of Ownership Change Form.

Learn more about Emerging Fuels.


Printable brochure

The information on this page is also available in printable format below.

  • Region 10 UST Program: Is Your Facility Ready? (pdf) (255.41 KB, April 2021, EPA 910-F-21-001)
    Summary of testing and inspection requirements. Printable brochure format.

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Last updated on November 21, 2024
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