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Underground Storage Tanks Program (CCR Title 23, H&SC Chapter 6.7)
The UST program originated with the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle I which required UST systems to be installed in accordance with standards that address the prevention of future leaks. The basic program goal is to prevent releases due to corrosion or structural failure by designing tank systems that prevent the release of any stored substance through the use of steel clad with a noncorrosive material, components constructed of noncorrosive materials, and materials that are compatible with the substance to be stored. California has requirements beyond the federal standards, such as UST systems must be double-walled throughout. For more information about California's UST requirements, go to the SWRCB UST Guide. To ensure that California UST's meet state and federal guidelines, all UST's are required to have an operating permit.
In addition to the original UST standards, the 1998 California Upgrade Compliance Certification requires all UST's in California to meet federal and state upgrade compliance laws. A blue certification decal and special tags installed on the fill tubes show that the tank has met the upgrade compliance laws. By California law, fuel deliveries can only be made at UST facilities that have the blue certification decal and special fill tube tags.
SBCFD HMU is the Local Implementing Agency (LIA) responsible for issuing operating permits and compliance certifications to all UST's in Santa Barbara County. While the SWRCB Division of Clean Water Programs develops UST regulations (CCR Title 23, Div 3, Ch 16, Art 1-10) and provides policy guidelines to local agencies through local guidance (LG) letters, SBCFD HMU sets the standards for UST's in the County of Santa Barbara. UST's are inspected every three years by SBCFD HMU Specialists.
Types of Tanks
Underground Storage Tanks that are regulated include, but are not limited to:
- Commercial and private motor vehicle fuel tanks
- Backup generator tanks
- Waste oil tanks
- Tanks containing hazardous substances / chemicals
- Heating oil tanks
- Tanks located on government-owned or leased property
Underground Storage Tank System
The term UST system refers to all the components of the system including the:
- Underground storage tank
- Connected piping
- Ancillary equipment
- Containment system
- Pipeline or system of pipelines
- Valves
- Other appurtenances connected to the pipe
- Pumping units
- Fabricated assemblies
- Metering and delivery stations
- Dispensing systems
- Filters
- Relays
- Connections
- Meters
- Hose, nozzles and signs on the outside of the dispenser
- Vent lines and vent pipes
- Monitoring system, both electronic and any manual monitoring
- Emergency equipment involved with the UST system and cleanup of spills or leaks that may occur
- Emergency shutoff switch and signs indicating its location
- Fire extinguishers and signs indicating their location
- Any other items intended to provide for the safe operation of the facility.
Underground Storage Tanks Program Inspectors
| District | Specialist |
|---|---|
| HMU Supervisor | Ann Marie Nelson 686-8143 |
| North/South County | Steve Lowe 686-8174 Juanita Miller 686-8141 |
| City of Santa Barbara | Jim Morris 681-5538 |
| Carpinteria-Summerland | Joan McDonough 681-4045 |
| Montecito | Joan McDonough 681-4045 |
| County South | Joan McDonough 681-4045 |
| University of CA - SB | Ann Marie Nelson 686-8143 |
| Vandenberg AFB | Ann Marie Nelson 686-8143 |
| City of Santa Maria | Larry Bishop 686-8163 |
| City of Lompoc | Steve Lowe 686-8174 |
| City of Guadalupe | Steve Lowe 686-8174 |