Farm and Residential Underground Storage Tank for Vehicle Fuel

Farm and Residential underground storage tank (UST) systems of 1,100 gallons or less capacity used for storing motor fuel for noncommercial purposes must be upgraded no later than May 1, 2001. Tanks that are not upgraded must be closed.

UST system upgrading consists of adding corrosion protection, and installing devices to protect against spills and overfills. Without the protection provided by upgrading, the UST is more likely to leak, damage the environment, possibly expose you to third-party lawsuits, and leave you with a costly cleanup.

Owners should consult with a petroleum equipment contractor to assess individual tank, property and economic scenarios. Owners are advised not to wait until the May 1st deadline approaches to address the tank upgrade because the rule of supply and demand will play out for a large population of tanks and limited number of contractors.

Corrosion Protection for Vehicle Fuel Tanks
Removed UST that was leaking	The May 1, 2001 tank corrosion protection requirements can be met by upgrading existing steel tanks or replacement with new tanks made of corrosion resistant material (such as fiberglass). You have three options for upgrading existing steel USTs: 1.Interior lining, 2.Cathodic protection*, and 3.Internal lining combined with cathodic protection* * NOTE: Prior to adding cathodic protection, the integrity of the UST must be ensured using an approved method.
The May 1, 2001 pipe corrosion protection requirements can be met by replacing existing pipe with one of three alternatives: 1.Coated and Cathodically Protected Steel 2.Fiberglass , or 3.Another Approved Material Existing Piping can be upgraded by adding cathodic protection to the piping.
Spill Protection for Vehicle Fuel Tanks
Spill bucket on the end of fill tube	Your UST must have a catch basin to contain spills. Catch basins are also called "spill containment manways" or "spill buckets." Basically, a catch basin is a bucket sealed around the fill pipe. To protect against spills, the basin should be large enough to contain what may spill when the delivery hose is removed or uncoupled from the fill pipe. Basins range in size from those capable of holding only a few gallons to those that are 30 gallons or larger. The larger the catch basin, the more spill protection it provides. You need a way to remove liquid from catch basins. Manufacturers equip catch basins with either a pump or drain to remove liquid. You should try to keep water out of catch basins. Some catch basins can collect enough water and sediment, along with spilled product, to
make draining this mixture into the tank unwise. If this happens, you may pump out the catch basin and dispose of the liquid properly. If the liquid contains fuel or chemicals, it could be considered a hazardous waste. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Resources, responsible for hazardous waste, for information on handling and disposal requirements. If an UST never receives more than 25 gallons at a time, the UST does not have to meet the spill protection requirements. Many small used oil tanks fall into this category.
Overfill Protection for Vehicle Fuel Tanks
Automatic shut-off placed in fill tube	Overfills usually release much larger volumes than spills. When a tank is overfilled, large volumes can be released at the fill pipe and through loose fittings on the top of the tank or a loose vent pipe. The tightness of these fittings normally would not be a problem if the tank were not filled beyond its capacity. Overfill problems can be significantly reduced by adding overfill protection. Your UST must have overfill protection. The three main types of overfill protection devices are: 1.automatic shutoff devices 2.overfill alarms, and 3.ball float valves. If an UST never receives more than 25 gallons at a time, the UST does not have to meet the overfill protection requirements. Many small used oil tanks fall into this category.
Tank Closure
	Link to UST Closure Information