2020 Requirements for Pennsylvania Storage Tank System Owners

On December 22, 2018, amendments to 25 Pa. Code Chapter 245, Administration of the Storage Tank and Spill Prevention Program, became effective. Beginning December 22, 2019, the following items are required by underground storage tank system owners to maintain compliance:

1. Walk-through Inspections:

At least every 30 days, the underground storage tank owner and/or operator must document and visually check all:

• spill prevention equipment for damage and must remove any liquid or debris found in them
• tank fills to ensure that the fill caps are tight and that no obstructions are found
• release detection equipment; such as, an automatic tank gauge to ensure it is operational

 

At least annually, the underground storage tank owner and/or operator must document and visually check all:

• containment sumps for damage and must remove any liquid or debris found in them
• handheld release detection equipment; such as, tank gauge sticks or groundwater bailers operability and serviceability

 

2. Equipment Testing:

Between December 23, 2019 and December 21, 2021, and prior to the next due Facility Operations Inspection, the underground storage tank owner and/or operator must have:

• an appropriately DEP-certified individual document and test all electronic and mechanical components of the release detection equipment.  This documentation and testing will be due annually
• an appropriately DEP-certified individual document and test all overfill prevention devices, all spill prevention equipment, and all product piping containment sumps used for interstitial monitoring.  This documentation and testing will be due every 3 years thereafter.

 

Please note that the required equipment testing must be completed by a DEP-certified individual with the appropriate certification.  A DEP-certified individual with IUM or UTT certifications may conduct the required containment sump, spill prevention equipment, and release detection testing.  A DEP-certified individual with UMI or UMX certifications may conduct the required containment sump, spill prevention equipment, overfill prevention, and release detection testing.  Additionally, all required equipment testing must be documented on a DEP-provided form and provided to the storage tank owner and/or operator to be maintained onsite at the facility or at a readily available alternative site.  The various DEP-provided forms for the required equipment testing may be located here: https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Land/Tanks/Revisions%20to%20Pennsylvania’s%20Storage%20Tank%20Regulations/Pages/default.aspx. Also, any suspected or confirmed contamination discovered during equipment testing must be reported to DEP following the requirements on this DEP-provided form: http://www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/GetFolder?FolderID=43404.

 3. Emergency Generator Systems and Release Detection:

• The owner and/or operator of an underground storage tank system installed after December 22, 2018 must begin performing interstitial monitoring for tank and piping release detection beginning at installation
• The owner and/or operator of an underground storage tank system installed after November 10, 2007 must begin performing interstitial monitoring for tank and piping release detection no later than December 22, 2019
• The owner and/or operator of an underground storage tank system installed on or before November 10, 2007 must begin performing tank and product piping release detection no later than December 21, 2020

 

Questions? Call storage tank management expert, Chris Kern, P.G. at 800.305.6019.