Underground Storage Tanks (UST)

Overview

The UST program protects public health and safety and the environment from releases of petroleum and other hazardous substances from UST systems. The program is administered by the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and consists of four program elements: leak prevention, cleanup, enforcement, and tank tester licensing. The Lahontan Region receives funding to oversee the cleanup element of the UST program.

Due to the maturity of the program and the State Water Board’s 2012 approval of the "Plan for Implementation of Low Threat Underground Storage Tank Case Closure Policy and Additional Program Improvements" (Plan), all high-threat cases are being addressed and the caseload primarily consists of mature cases and is shrinking. Most active cases are in the southern portion of the Lahontan Region in San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County.

Plans & Policies

• Ground Water Cleanup and Containment Zone Policy - SB Resolution 92-49
• Lahontan Basin Plan
• Low-Threat UST Case Closure Policy
• Low-Threat Closure Policy Implementation Plan

UST Program - Available Documents

• Unauthorized Release Form
  Instructions and form for reporting unauthorized releases from underground storage tanks
• September 2012 Leaking Underground Fuel Tank Manual- Updated December 2015
  The Manual provides guidance to assist stakeholders in making informed decisions regarding the investigation and cleanup of unauthorized releases of fuels from USTs in the State of California.