Division of Water Quality – Underground Storage Tank Program

An underground storage tank (UST) is defined by law as "any one or combination of tanks, including pipes connected thereto, that is used for the storage of hazardous substances and that is substantially or totally beneath the surface of the ground" (certain exceptions apply).

The purpose of the UST Program is to protect public health and safety and the environment from releases of petroleum and other hazardous substances from tanks. There are four program elements:

• Leak Prevention
  The Leak Prevention Program element includes requirements for tank installation, construction, testing, leak detection, spill containment, and overfill protection. Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPAs) are the implementing agencies for the Leak Prevention program element.
  
  
• Cleanup
  Cleanup of leaking tanks often involves a soil and groundwater investigation and remediation, under the direction of a regulatory agency. Responsible parties (RPs) who believe cleanup at their site is complete and are denied case closure by the regulatory agency, may consider filing a closure petition.
  
  
• Enforcement
  The State Water Resources Control Board provides assistance to local agencies enforcing UST requirements.
  
  
• Tank Tester Licensing
  Tank integrity testing is required by law, must meet the requirements of the State Water Resources Control Board, and must be conducted by State licensed tank testers.

Quick Links

• Unified Program Newsletter
• Public Record Information as Required by The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005
• Revised Forms (including Report 6 for SOC tracking)
• The Federal Energy Policy Act of 2005
• Enhanced Leak Detection (ELD) Notification
• Matrix of Pipe Monitoring Applications
• UST Program ICC Certification and Training Guidance
• Inspectors – One-Stop-Shop
• Advisory Regarding Thermoplastic Flexible Piping
• EVR Multi-Agency Review Process
• Vacuum, Pressure, and Hydrostatic Monitoring Methods

• Draft California LUFT Guidance Manual - Available for Comment (8/13/10)
• UST Program Notifications for Case Closure Recommendation
• List of UST Water Quality Petitions and Board Orders
• Information Regarding Liquid Condensate Traps (7/6/09)
• Resolution (2009-0042) to Improve Administration of the UST Cleanup Fund and UST Cleanup Program (6/10/09)
• Information on Storage of Biodiesel

• Electronic Submittal of Information (ESI)
• Leak Prevention