Underground Storage Tank Fact Sheet

Do you have underground storage tanks?

If you are connected to the transportation industry, you probably have underground storage tanks you rely on to supply fuel for trucks, vans, heavy equipment, boats, locomotives, airplanes, or a wide range of other vehicles. Or you may have underground storage tanks holding either used oil or fuel used to run emergency power generators.

What is an underground storage tank?

An underground storage tank (UST) is a tank and any underground piping connected to the tank that has at least 10 percent of its combined volume underground. The federal regulations apply only to USTs storing either petroleum or certain hazardous substances.

What are the basic UST requirements?

To protect human health and the environment from dangerous releases, USTs must have leak detection and spill, overfill, and corrosion protection. Other UST requirements address notification, installation, corrective action, financial responsibility, and recordkeeping. Tanks installed after December 1988 need to comply with all UST requirements upon installation. Tanks installed before December 1988 have until December 1998 to comply with spill, overfill, and corrosion protection requirements, but these USTs should be in compliance with all other requirements now.

Use the "hot" links below to access information on UST requirements:  

• Go to the Home Page maintained by EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks. Here you'll find information you need to make sure your USTs comply with Federal requirements.

• State UST requirements can be more stringent than federal requirements. You will find links to many State UST programs and their requirements here.

• USTs: Requirements And Options. A leaflet directed to nonmarketers of petroleum that provides you with a quick overview of your responsibilities and choices for complying with Federal UST regulations.

• A primary source of basic information on UST requirements is a 32-page booklet written in "plain English" Musts For USTs. OUST's Home Page contains many other useful publications and resources.

• For information and assistance you can also contact the RCRA/Superfund/UST Hotline (toll-free phone at 800-424-9346) or visit the Hotline web site.

United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurances
Washington , D.C.
Tel: (202) 564-2405 Fax: (202) 564-0050