Preventing Releases in Underground Storage Tanks

摘要

In the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), petroleum or hazardous substances are stored in ～566,000 underground storage tanks (USTs). These USTs are located at hundreds of thousands of facilities across America. Contamination of groundwater, the drinking water source for almost half of all Americans, is the greatest potential threat from leaking USTs, which are one of the leading sources of groundwater contamination. U.S. UST regulations require owners and operators to design, construct, and properly install UST systems in accordance with industry codes and standards, and according to manufacturers' instructions. UST owners and operators must follow correct filling practices and protect their USTs from spills, overfills, and corrosion. Additionally owners and operators must report the existence of new UST systems, suspected releases, UST system closures, and keep records of operation and maintenance.