STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD
WORKSHOP SESSION -- DIVISION OF CLEAN WATER PROGRAMS
JUNE 2, 1999

ITEM 5: CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE AND AMEND A STANDARD AGREEMENT WITH THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA OR U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONDUCT FIELD-BASED RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RELEASES FROM NEW AND UPGRADED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

DISCUSSION: Since the early 1990s, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) has been added to gasoline in relatively high concentrations to improve air quality. MTBE is highly water soluble and resistant to natural degradation and has a low taste and odor threshold. Once released into the environment, MTBE can quickly degrade a drinking water source.

In October 1997, in response to increasing reports of MTBE releases into drinking water, Governor Wilson requested the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to convene a panel to review existing information to determine if there is a leak history of new and upgraded tanks and to develop recommendations to address any identified deficiencies in Underground Storage Tank (UST) systems. The panel found that additional research is needed to pinpoint the potential for these systems to leak and identify additional regulatory provisions needed to minimize this potential. The panel found that while there is some evidence of releases from new and upgraded USTs, there is insufficient data to determine whether there is a statistically significant leak history associated with properly-installed, operated, and maintained UST systems meeting the 1998 standards. The panel recommended that additional research, consisting of environmental or system tests, be performed at a representative sample of UST facilities throughout the state.

POLICY ISSUE: Should the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute and amend as necessary a standard agreement with the Regents of the University of California or U. S. Department of Energy to conduct field-based research to determine the probability and environmental significance of releases from new and upgraded underground storage tanks?

FISCAL IMPACT: Expenditure authority in the amount of $1 million is proposed for inclusion in the Governor’s Budget, in the May Revision.

RWQCB IMPACT: None

STAFF RECOMMENDATION: That the SWRCB authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute and amend as necessary a standard agreement in an amount up to $1 million with the Regents of the University of California or U. S. Department of Energy to conduct field-based research to determine the probability and environmental significance of releases from new and upgraded underground storage tanks.

DRAFT May 24, 1999

AUTHORIZE EXECUTION AND AMENDMENT OF A STANDARD
AGREEMENT WITH THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF
CALIFORNIA OR U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONDUCT
FIELD-BASED RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE PROBABILITY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RELEASES FROM
NEW AND UPGRADED UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

WHEREAS:

1.  Since the early 1990s, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) has been added to gasoline in relatively high concentrations to improve air quality. MTBE is highly water soluble and resistant to natural degradation and has a low taste and odor threshold. Once released into the environment, MTBE can quickly degrade a drinking water source.

2.  In October 1997, in response to increasing reports of MTBE releases into drinking water, Governor Wilson requested the State Water Resources Control Board to convene a panel to review existing information to determine if there is a leak history of new and upgraded tanks and to develop recommendations to address any identified deficiencies in UST systems.

3.  The panel found that additional research is needed to pinpoint the potential for these systems to leak and identify additional regulatory provisions needed to minimize this potential. The panel found that while there is some evidence of releases from new and upgraded USTs, there is insufficient data to determine whether there is a statistically significant leak history associated with properly-installed, operated, and maintained UST systems meeting the 1998 standards.

4.  The panel recommended that additional research, consisting of environmental or system tests, be performed at a representative sample of UST facilities throughout the state.
 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That the State Water Resources Control Board authorize the Executive Director or his designee to execute and amend as necessary a standard agreement in an amount up to 1 million with the Regents of the University of California or U. S. Department of Energy to conduct field-based research to determine the probability and environmental significance of releases from new and upgraded underground storage tanks.

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned, Administrative Assistant to the Board, does hereby certify that the foregoing is a full, true, and correct copy of a resolution duly and regularly adopted at a meeting of the State Water Resources Control Board held on June 17, 1999

____________________________
Maureen Marche
Administrative Assistant to the Board