Petroleum releases from leaking underground storage tanks (LUST) may threaten human health and the environment. Petroleum can seep through the soil and into the water table and these liquids can accumulate and contaminate ground and surface water. Vapors from petroleum releases can also be a health and safety concern within buildings and around construction workers.
DEQ’s LUST program provides oversight of petroleum releases from state-regulated underground storage tanks (USTs). This oversight and cleanup process is guided by several rules:
- “Idaho’s Water Quality Standards” (IDAPA 58.01.02.851 and 852)
- “Idaho’s Rules Regulating Underground Storage Tank Systems” (IDAPA 58.01.07.200)
- “Standards and Procedures for Application of Risk-Based Corrective Action at Petroleum Release Sites” (IDAPA 58.01.24)
Removing a leaking underground storage tank.
This process requires owners and operators of USTs to report suspected releases and investigate suspected releases to determine if a confirmed release requires cleanup. The requirements also describe when spills and overfills from a UST system must be reported using the UST Release Reporting form and cleaned up. These rules also apply to petroleum releases from unregulated tanks.
Cleanup
Once a release has been confirmed, the responsible party must continue to evaluate the site to determine the extent of contamination and whether remediation is necessary. The determination of the need for remediation is guided by the “Standards and Procedures for Application of Risk-Based Corrective Action at Petroleum Release Sites” (IDAPA 58.01.24).
The rules and accompanying guidance, Idaho Risk Evaluation Manual for Petroleum Releases, outline standards and procedures to determine whether and what risk-based corrective action measures should be applied to properties where petroleum releases have occurred.
Depending on site-specific conditions, remediation measures at a petroleum release site may include activity and use implemented through a legal instrument called an environmental covenant.
Containing a petroleum release for cleanup.
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LUST Compliance Officer
UST/LUST Program Manager