Removal of Improperly Abandoned Underground Storage Tanks (RAT)

The objective of the RAT project is the identification and closure of abandoned underground storage tanks (USTs) statewide. This project is a continuation of a 2013 initiative that identified 327 improperly abandoned UST facilities, and from 2013 to 2016 and achieved compliance at 208 facilities. The initiative was revived in 2021 and prioritizes facilities located in disadvantaged communities (DAC) within 1,000 feet of a municipal supply well. The prioritization of these sites aligns with the State Water Boards’ commitment to environmental justice.

The visualization below shows the locations of RAT facilities as indicated by the indigo points. The concentric grey points indicate municipal wells surrounded by a1,000-foot buffer zone. The colored polygons indicate land tracts assigned DAC percentile scores. Facilities within DAC scores exceeding 70 are prioritized for compliance actions.

To interact with the map please hover the cursor above any feature displayed in the map legend. Facilities on the map can be searched by city or zip code by clicking on the search icon at the top left of the map.

The Closure Categories graphs feature seven categories of formerly abandoned tank facilities that have been returned to compliance. The UST(s) removed facilities have removed the improperly abandoned tanks, but have either not yet completed a cleanup, or determined if there was a release. TIUGA is an acronym for Tank in Underground Area. These are no longer regulated by UST laws. Refurbished are USTs that were returned to service. Non-16 are USTs that never contained hazardous materials. The No Further Action Required facilities have either removed abandoned USTs and found no evidence of a release, or have completed a cleanup. Decommissioned USTs were closed in accordance with pre-1984 standards, and Closed In Place USTs are filled in, while still buried, because excavating them was infeasible. To locate the facilities categorized in the bar graph on the map, click on the title below any bar. Click on an area outside the bar but within the graph to return the visualization to its original appearance.