California's progress removing aging single-walled storage tanks
Single-walled storage tanks must close by January 1, 2026
The dangers of storage tank leaks
- Leaking fuel and other hazardous substances can pollute:
- Soil
- Groundwater
- Streams
- Other drinking water sources
- Fuel vapor seeping out of the ground can harm people's health and even cause explosions.
Up to
30%
of tanks left may leak due to rust and corrosion
- Cleanup of polluted sites is extremely costly and can take many years.
Owners had 11 years to comply
Owners of remaining single-walled USTs were notified in 2014 of California's requirement to permanently close all single-walled UST systems by December 31, 2025.
California is almost done
49,350
(99%)
of about 50,000 original single-walled tanks have been closed
- Less than 650 single-walled tanks remain:
- 530 now have permit applications.
- 225 tanks have scheduled removal start dates.
About 120 tanks on 50 sites are not yet in formal planning for removal.
Funding and assistance
The State Water Board has provided:
$183.1
millionin grants and loans to 630 different owners, mainly to remove singled-walled tanks since 2015
$80
millionfor single-wall tank removal since 2023
Owners can still apply for Removing Underground Storage Tank loans.
The UST Cleanup Fund, which reimburses for contamination cleanup costs after leaks, has been extended by AB 1115 to January 1, 2036, to ensure owners and operators can meet financial responsibility requirements.
