Aboveground Storage Tanks
This program is primarily managed by the State Water Resources Control Board.
This program requires owners and operators of aboveground storage tanks containing petroleum that are greater than 1320 gallons, or who own or operate more than one tank that has a combined capacity of 1320 gallons to do the following:
· File a storage statement and pay a fee to the State of California.
· Complete a federally required Spill Control and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC).
· Install Secondary Containment and monitor tanks.
· Report Spills
Farms, nurseries, and logging or construction sites, which do not have a single tank exceeding 20,000 gallons and which have a cumulative storage capacity no greater than 100,000 gallons are exempt from the SPCC requirements, however must provide the following:
· Daily visual inspections of any tank storing petroleum
· Allow the Regional Board to conduct periodic inspections
· Install a secondary means of containment for the entire contents of the largest tank at the tank facility, plus sufficient space for rainfall if deemed necessary by the Regional Board.
Definition of Petroleum (for purposes of this program): crude oil or any fraction that is liquid at 60 degrees F temp. at normal atmospheric pressure. This includes petroleum based substances of a complex blend of hydrocarbons, such as gasoline, diesel, jet fuels, residual fuel oils, lubricants, some petroleum solvents, and used oils. The definition does not include propane.
An SPCC plan is a carefully thought-out plan, prepared in accordance to federal guidelines (40 CFR 112). This plan discusses procedures, methods, and equipment in place at the facility to prevent discharges of petroleum from reaching navigable waters. It includes
Facility specific information Discharge detection systems
Emergency response information Plan Implementation
Hazard evaluation Self-inspection, training & meeting logs
Discharge scenarios Facility diagrams
Worst case discharge scenario Security systems maintained on site.
The plan must be certified by a registered professional engineer and a copy of the plan must be maintained on-site. The CUPA inspects to ensure compliance with the SPCC plan, and forwards information to the State.
If the tank facility has a potential to impact surface water, groundwater or sensitive ecosystems, a tank monitoring program may be required by the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This is
not applicable to tanks where the exterior surface, including piping, and the floor directly beneath the tank can be monitored by direct viewing.
Spills or releases of 42 gallons or more of petroleum must be reported immediately to the
State Office of Emergency Services 1-800-852-7550 and to the
CUPA (530) 749-5450
NOTE: Lesser amounts may require reporting under a different program. When in doubt, REPORT!
Forms: For “Storage Statement” forms, see appendix.