Abandoned Tanks Guidance Document

Facility File Review

The State Water Board Evaluation staff may select abandoned UST facilities as part of the facility file request. Evaluation staff review the following:

  • Abandon UST facility information has been uploaded to CERS
  • Compliance inspections (Routine inspection) are performed annually and reported to CERS
    • For sites with limited or no site access, the CUPA may utilize the Abandoned Underground Storage Tank Compliance Checklist
    • Violations recorded in CERS
      • Every abandoned UST must have TCR violations recorded in CERS
      • Information on how the evaluation staff review TCR violation data can be found on the Technical Compliance Rate page.

For more information on abandoned UST inspections and to obtain a copy of the Abandoned UST Compliance Checklist, refer to the Abandoned Tank Inspection Guidance Letter.

Definition

A UST is considered abandoned when all of the following conditions apply:

  • The release detection system has been nonfunctional for more than 365 days
  • The UST does not have a current operating permit
  • The UST system has not been permanently or temporarily closed
  • The UST is not classified as a decommissioned tank

Report 6

The Evaluation staff review Report 6 data within the evaluation timeframe to verify that abandoned tanks and associated inspections have been reported. The CUPA must record TCR criteria violations in CERS to ensure abandoned tanks receive a failing TCR reporting in Report 6.

UST Closure Statute and Regulation Code Sections:

  • CCR, Title 23, Chapter 16, Sections 2611, 2682, 2692(d)
  • HSC, Chapter 6.7, Section 25298