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Home My WebLink AboutDERR-2024-009178 UTAH TANK NEWS Published by the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Division of Environmental Response and Remediation UST Branch Dianne R. Nielson, Executive Director Kent P. Gray, Division Director Dale Marx, Branch Manager Gary A. Harris, Editor FALL 2002 INSIDE: Abandoned tanks Re-certification Tags/Straps Fraudulent Tests Abandoned Tanks By Gary Harris Abandoned or orphaned Underground Storage Tanks (UST) are still problematic in Utah. Occasionally, during inspections, The Department of Environmental Quality, UST inspectors find an abandoned UST. Many abandoned tanks are discovered during property transfers when site assessments are required. Some clues that inspectors look for are vent lines near or along side buildings. As a general rule, each tank has its own vent line. The photograph below shows some vent lines that almost disappeared due to the growing trees. Sometimes the vent lines are cut at ground level, leaving straps and hooks along the building as clues. Fill pipes, usually covered with a metal lid are another good indication that tanks exist. Sometimes the lids are paved over which makes them difficult to locate. Abandoned tanks can be a serious safety and environmental hazard, especially if they still contain product. If you know of abandoned USTs, or think you might have some, please call the Division of Environmental Response and Remediation, Underground Storage Tank Section for assistance at 1-801-536-4100. New Re-certification Option Available he Division of Environmental Response and Remediation (DERR) is allowing a new option for Underground Storage Tank (UST) certification renewals. PETCON is offering a one day course called “Solutions to New UST Problems.” The course is designed to bring tank handlers up to date on all new UST developments. Individuals already certified as: UST Installer UST Remover UST Tester UST Soil and Groundwater Sampler These certified individuals may take this one day course and get re-certified in one or more certifications. The other 2 options available to re-certify are: 1. Repeat the original certification course. 2. Pass the re-certification test offered at the DERR every first Tuesday of each month. Renewal fees of $150 are required for each certification and are good for two years. Refer to the last page of this newsletter for all courses available for certification. If you have questions concerning the certifications mentioned please contact Gary Harris or David Wilson. For Consultant Certification contact Hillary Mason at 801-536-4100. g Tags/Straps Update he Underground Storage Tank (UST) section sends out tags every year. Each UST should have its own tag that is secured to the fill pipe. The tags are sent out the first of each year. The tags have the current year etched on them. The color also changes every year. After you receive your new tags, the old tags should be removed. Along with the tags/straps you should receive a certificate of compliance, that should be kept with your UST records. Petroleum distributors have been instructed not to deliver product to USTs that do not have a tag. The lack of a tag indicates that the UST is not in compliance with State and Federal regulations. In the past we have sent two sizes of nylon straps. The large strap wraps around the fill pipe and the small strap is used to secure the tag to the large strap. Starting this year, existing facilities will receive only the small straps and should reuse the large strap. New facilities will receive both the large and small straps. If you have questions about the tags or straps, please contact Sean Warner at (801) 536-4100.g T T Don’t let this happen to your tank. Stay in Compliance a typical set up for a line tightness test Fraudulent UST Tightness Testing By David Wilson ourteen Sentenced for Fraudulent Testing in Pennsylvania. United States Secures Pleas to 10 Felony Counts in Underground Storage Tank Case, Testing firm and its president admit to scheme to give false reports to underground storage owners in southeast U.S. These are headlines from a number of recent press releases from the EPA and other sources regarding fraudulent tank and line tightness testing. The false testing ranges from failing to follow required test protocols to conducting “drive-by” tests (e.g., a tester arrives to test a UST system and drives away after only a few minutes and then submits false data). Since most facilities are required to test their pressurized piping annually, owners or operators need to be aware of the possibility of testing fraud. False testing can lead to leaks not being discovered until after contamination has spread, requiring difficult and costly cleanups. The Division of Environmental Response and Remediation (DERR) certifies UST testers. These certified testers are required to maintain a certain standard of performance. Specifically, Utah UST Rules R311-201-6(c)(7) state that an UST Tester “shall not participate in fraudulent, unethical, deceitful, or dishonest activity, which would increase the possibility of a release or suspected release from an UST or which would falsify UST test results of the UST system.” Testers who violate any of the Standard(s) of Performance may have their certification revoked. Report any suspected fraudulent UST testing to the DERR UST Section at (801) 536-4100. There are many certified, competent, and honest UST testers in Utah. Here are a few things to consider when hiring an UST Tester: 1. There are a number of different tightness testing methods which testers use. All of these test methods require a significant amount of data to be collected in order to complete a valid test, usually on the order of 3 hours or more depending on the number of tanks and/or lines being tested. 2. Call around. Contact a number of testers and ask for referrals from people who have had work done by the person. When the tester arrives to test your UST system, ask questions. Have him/her explain the operation and how long it will take. 3. It is the UST owner/operators responsibility to ensure that their UST system is in compliance with State and Federal Regulations. In other words, it is potentially your responsibility to pay for the cost of the cleanup of a release that has occurred from improper leak detection. If you have question concerning line and tank tightness testing, please contact David Wilson at (801) 536-4100. g F UTAH DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE AND REMEDIATION P.O. BOX 144840 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-4840 CERTIFICATION CORNER PETCON www.petconinc.com 1-800-852-8374 Nov 20,21,22 Mar 26,27,28 Installer, Remover, Sample And re-certification UVSC (801) 863-8117/8677 Dec 12 Feb 18 Apr 22 Jun 3 Sampler only ECI (801) 491-3455 Sampler only By appointment Re-certification Tests are given the first Tuesday of each month. For more info call David Wilson at (801) 536-4138 Environmental Consultant Contact Hillary Mason at (801) 536-4162 Test Dates: Dec 13, Mar 14, Jun 13 http://www.deq.utah.gov DEQ