Development of a Tank Test Method for a National Survey of Underground Storage Tanks (Revised Draft)

摘要

Leaking underground storage tanks have become a matter of national concern. Materials leaking from underground tanks can pose a risk of groundwater contamination and in the case of flammable materials, a risk of fire or explosion. The United States Congress, in recognition of this problem, mandated the Environmental Protection Agency to develop regulations for underground storage tanks containing motor fuels. As a part of the regulatory process, EPA was mandated to conduct a national survey of underground fuels storage tanks. The objectives of the project were to evaluate and select a suitable method for testing the tanks, quantify the performance of the recommended method, and develop a standard operating procedure for tank testing for the national survey. The initial phase of the project was a preliminary evaluation of existing tank test methods by literature review and field observation.