6.5 Underground Storage Tank Requirements

These guidelines help Church facilities in the United States comply with the EPA’s underground storage tank (UST) regulations. Facilities outside the United States should comply with local regulatory requirements or use these guidelines as appropriate. Various storage methods are allowed for compliance. Options are outlined as follows. Recommended options are bolded in the outline. Contact the Risk Management Division or your local area office for specific information on recommended compliance options.

6.5.1 Exemptions

The following types of tanks are exempt from UST rules:

Tanks with capacities of less than 110 gallons
Farm or residential tanks with capacities of 1,100 gallons or less that are storing motor fuel that is not for resale
Tanks for storing heating oil used on-site

UST systems associated with emergency power generators are exempt only from the requirements regarding release detection.

6.5.2 Petroleum Tanks

Petroleum tanks must have corrosion protection and leak detection according to the following guidelines:

Corrosion protection. Tanks must have one or both of the following:
- Cathodic protection system
- Interior lining (regular inspection necessary)
Leak detection. This is required for all nonexempt tanks. There are two leak-detection options:
- Monthly monitoring. Monitoring methods include the following:
  - Automatic gauging
  - Vapor monitoring
  - Interstitial monitoring
  - Groundwater monitoring
  - Other methods approved by local regulations
- Monthly inventory control and tank tightness testing. This testing should be done according to the following methods.
  
  If the tank has corrosion protection and spill and overflow prevention:
  - Perform a tank tightness test every five years.
  - Add monthly monitoring devices.
  If the tank lacks corrosion protection or spill and overflow prevention devices:
  - Perform a tank tightness test annually.
  - Replace or upgrade system.
Spill and overflow devices. Tanks must have the following:
- Catch basins
- Automatic shutoff devices or overfill alarms or ball float valves

6.5.3 New Petroleum Tanks

When a new petroleum tank is installed, an aboveground tank is recommended. If an underground tank is the only option available, a double-wall fiberglass tank or jacketed steel tank that has the following features is recommended.

Corrosion protection. The tank should have one of the following:
- Jacketed steel with cathodic protection
- Double-wall fiberglass
- Steel-clad fiberglass
Leak detection (at installation). There are two options for leak detection:
- Monthly monitoring, by one of the following methods:
  - Automatic gauging
  - Vapor monitoring
  - Interstitial monitoring
  - Groundwater monitoring
  - Other methods approved by local regulations
- Monthly inventory control with testing of the tank tightness every five years until the tank is 10 years old, then monthly monitoring.
Spill and overflow devices (at installation). Tanks must have the following:
- Catch basins
- Automatic shutoff devices or overfill alarms or ball float valves

6.5.4 Piping

Piping must have the following features:

Corrosion protection.
- Corrosion protection is required at installation for new piping, using one of the following methods:
  - Double-wall fiberglass
  - Coated and cathodic-protected steel
- Corrosion protection is required for existing piping, using one of the following methods:
  - Cathodic-protected steel
  - Coated and cathodic-protected steel
  - Fiberglass
Leak detection. For new and existing pressurized piping, there are two options for leak detection:
- For new tanks at installation and for existing tanks, use one of the following methods:
  - Automatic flow restrictor
  - Automatic shutoff device
  - Continuous alarm system
- Annual line testing or monthly monitoring (except automatic tank gauging) is required for tanks more than two years old. This testing must be done according to the following guidelines:
  - No requirements if system meets set design standards
  - Monthly monitoring (not automatic tank gauging)
  - Line testing every three years

6.5.5 New Installations or Upgrades

The following are requirements for new installations or upgrades of USTs, UST piping, and UST dispensing equipment that are located within 1,000 feet of a community water system (purifying plant, well, or water source):

Collect information on UST manufacturer (contact information and insurance).
Collect information on installer (contact information, insurance, and license or certification or certified installation as available).
Include secondary containment on USTs and piping.
Provide catch basins.

6.5.6 Operator Training

Comply with local training requirements for persons operating, maintaining, or responding to spills from USTs. Training may include requirements for licensing or certification.

6.5.7 Closing a UST Permanently

If you decide to close a UST permanently, follow these guidelines:

Notify the regulatory agency with jurisdiction, and determine what is required for closure.
Hire a qualified environmental professional to determine if the subsurface soils contain contamination from the UST. If contamination is found, you may have to remove and dispose of the contaminated soil.
Either remove the UST or abandon it in place. UST removal is the preferred option since the tank will likely need to be removed at some future date. In both cases, the tank must be emptied and cleaned by removing all liquids, dangerous vapor levels, and accumulated sludge. These potentially hazardous actions need to be carried out by a trained environmental professional or contractor who follows standard safety practices.
If you abandon the UST, fill it with a harmless, chemically inactive solid, like sand or concrete slurry. The tank should be abandoned in place in a manner approved by the regulatory agency.
Obtain final closure approval from the regulatory agency, and keep a record of the tank closure.