Underground Storage Tanks

Requirement

Section 1530 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires states receiving federal funds under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act to require either secondary containment and under-dispenser containment for new and replaced underground storage tank systems or evidence of financial responsibility and installer certification.

Secondary containment requires that new or replaced tanks and piping within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system or an existing potable drinking water well must be secondarily contained (this includes interstitial monitoring). New dispenser systems within 1,000 feet of an existing community water system or an existing potable drinking water well must have under-dispenser spill containment. This requirement does not apply to repairs meant to restore a tank, pipe, or dispenser to operating condition.

More information is available about the option of financial responsibility.

Deadlines

February 8, 2007 -- States receiving funding under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act must implement secondary containment or financial responsibility requirements.

Status

On November 15, 2006, EPA issued the secondary containment guidelines (PDF) (13 pp, 64K, About PDF) which include definitions, requirements, and examples for states choosing to implement the secondary containment provision. States receiving federal funds must implement the secondary containment requirements by February 8, 2007. EPA regions will incorporate the guidelines into their future grant agreements with states.

For more information

Contact Paul Miller of EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks at miller.paul@epa.gov or (703) 603-7165.

Top of page