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Underground Storage Tanks

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Published on November 10, 2016. Last modified on October 24, 2024

Underground Storage Tank Programs

The Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau (EHB), Hazardous Materials Management Service (HMMS), oversees the underground storage tank inspection program. As the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA), Environmental Health is tasked by the Secretary for Environmental Protection to implement and enforce the underground storage tank codes.

Typically, USTs are used to store large amounts of hazardous materials such as gasoline, diesel, biodiesel, and waste oils. The purpose of the UST Program is to protect public health, the environment and groundwater from potential contamination or adverse effects associated with unintended releases from the underground storage of hazardous materials.

What is an Underground Storage Tank?
An underground storage tank (UST) is defined in California Health and Safety Code as "any tank and its associated piping (located substantially or totally underground) which is used for the storage of hazardous substances."

HMMS provides regulatory oversight for the operation of UST systems including:

Permit issuance
Routine inspections of ongoing site operations
Review and approval of construction, repair, upgrade and removal applications
Inspections of construction, repair, upgrade and removal activities

UST Install/Construction/Repair
UST Temporary Closure
Cathodic Protection
UST Removal

Testing Notifications & Inspection Scheduling

Notifications for testing and inspection scheduling requests must be submitted to: ust-testing@countyofmonterey.gov .

UST Test Results

Test results and reports must be submitted electronically within 30 days of testing. This includes, but is not limited, to results for the following: ustresults@countyofmonterey.gov .

Monitoring System Certification Form
Secondary Containment Testing Report Form
Spill Containment Testing Report Form
Overfill Protection Equipment Inspection Form
Enhanced Leak Detection (ELD) Report
Sampling Results
Closure Reports

For more information on the Underground Storage Tank Program, please contact:

Donn Poticar
Environmental Health Specialist III
(831) 755-4723

Underground Storage Tank Fees

Fees For Underground Storage Tank Permits
Base fee per facility requiring annual permit to operate.	call 755-4511 - Per Tank/Yr.
Base fee per agricultural facility > 1100 gallons requiring annual permit to operate.	call 755-4511 - Per Tank/Yr.
Permit to construct, plan check fee (base fee for 1 tank). Additional Tanks:	$2,598Each $656 Each
Permit to close (base fee for 1 tank). Additional Tanks:	$1,499 Each $656 Each
Repair/Modification (Minor, per tank Site).	$1,090 Each
Repair/Modification (Major, for 1st tank). Additional Tanks:	$1,425 Each $656 Each
Underground Storage Tanks (exempt).	$215 Per Tank/Yr

Additional Resources

Resource Type	Name of Resource	Link to Resource
Downloadable PDF	UST Removal Permit Application Packet	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	Hazardous Waste Tank Closure Certification	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	UST installation & repair permit application packet	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	Site safety plan	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	Hydrauliclift and reservoir removal procedure	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	Designated operator submittal form	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	UST financial responsibility form	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	Letter from Chief Financial Officer	Download Here
Downloadable Brochure	RUST brochure	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	RUST grant fact sheet	Download Here
Downloadable PDF	RUST Loan Fact Sheet	Download Here

UST INSTALLATION AND REPAIR CONTRACTORS

Please Note:

The list provided here is for information only. Monterey County Health Department, Environmental Health, makes no recommendations for any businesses on this list. This list is not all-encompassing; it should not be assumed that every business available to perform underground storage tank installation, removal and repair services is listed.

Click here for downloadable Contractor List: Word

Underground Storage Tank Program FAQs

Q. How often and what do I need to resubmit in CERS?

A. UST owners and operators have a bit more to submit in CERS then a typical hazardous material handler or hazardous waste generator. For example, if nothing changes at a non-UST hazardous material handler’s facility, they are only required to submit the “Facility Information” and “Hazardous Materials Inventory” sections annually. UST operators, however, have a few more submittal elements that are required. The following matrix describes the individual CERS UST submittal elements, their required submittal frequency and a helpful link:

CERS Submittal Element	Required Submittal Frequency	Link to a Template Form
Facility Information (includes Business Activities and Business Owner/Operator	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any changes.	No template. Data must be entered directly into CERS
Hazardous Materials Inventory (Includes the Hazardous Materials Inventory and Site Map)	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any changes.	Hazardous Material Inventory must be entered directly into CERS. To download a template Site Map click HERE
Emergency Response and Training Plans (Includes the Emergency Response Plan and Employee Training Plan)	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any changes.	To download a template ER Plan with Training Plan click HERE
UST Facility Operating Permit Application (Formerly “Form A”)	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any permit changes or facility information changes.	No template. Data must be entered directly into CERS
UST Tank Information/Monitoring Plan (Formerly “Form B”)	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any plan changes.	No template. Data must be entered directly into CERS
UST Monitoring Site Plan	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any changes to any of the map elements.	To download a template UST Monitoring Site Plan click HERE
UST Certification of Financial Responsibility	Initially, annually and within 30 days of an unauthorized release or any changes to the document.	To download a template UST Cert. of Fin. Responsibility click HERE
UST Response Plan	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any change to the plan.	To download a template UST Response Plan click HERE
UST Owner/Operator: Written Agreement	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any change to the agreement.	To download a template agreement click HERE
UST Letter from Chief Financial Officer	Initially, annually and within 30 days of any change. NOTE: Required only if the UST Fund is sited in the UST Certification of Financial Responsibility.	To download a template UST CFO Letter click HERE
Owner Statement of Designated UST Operator Compliance	Initially, annually, before the designated operator’s ICC certification expires and within 30 days of any other change.	To download a template Owner Statement click HERE

Q. Where do I submit my tank system testing records?

A. All UST system testing records must be converted to PDF and uploaded to the “Miscellaneous State-Required Documents” area of CERS which is in the “Underground Storage Tank” section. This includes test results for monitoring system certifications, secondary containment testing, and special testing such as cathodic protection, tank lining and piping testing. It also includes tests performed after a repair has been made to the system.

Q. What does the “UST Monitoring Site Plan” need to include?

A. A UST Monitoring Site Plan is a floor plan/map of your property showing all the components of your UST system. The third-party company that does your annual monitoring system certification has likely included a version of this for you in your monitoring system test results. If it contains all the criteria mentioned below, it is fine to upload to CERS (or you can add any missing items before uploading. Your UST Monitoring Site Plan must clearly identify;

The general layout of tanks and piping
Monitoring system control panels
Sensors monitoring tank annular spaces, sumps, dispenser pans, spill containers, or other secondary containment areas
Mechanical or electronic line leak detectors
In-tank liquid level probes (if used for leak detection)
The date the Site Plan was prepared

If you would like to create a UST Monitoring Site Plan from scratch click HERE

Q. Do I need a permit to repair my UST system?

A. Yes. Monterey County Hazardous Materials Management Service offers two types of permits depending on the scope of the repair project (Minor and Major). For example, a Minor Repair/Modification Permit will cover a spill bucket replacement while a Major Repair/Modification Permit will be needed for larger projects such as UDC and sump modifications, piping repair or replacement, tank lining, etc. You can link to the Underground Storage Tank Construction/Repair Permit Application by clicking HERE

Q. How often do I must have my UST system tested?

A. The following matrix has been designed to guide owners and operators of UST systems on this matter. All test results and system certifications must be uploaded to your facilities CERS account in “Miscellaneous State-Requited Documents” which is at the bottom of the “Underground Storage Tanks” section of CERS.

Type of Test	Test Frequency
Monitoring System Certification	At the time of install and annually on your test anniversary date
Secondary Containment Test (aka: SB989 Test)	At install, 6 months later and every 36 months thereafter. NOTE: VPH systems are exempt from secondary containment testing
Single Walled Tank Test	Must pass a 0.1 or a 0.2 gph leak test every month
Cathodic Protection System	Every 3 years
Tank Lining Test	Every 5 years
Enhanced Leak Detection(aka: ELD)	Every 3 years. NOTE: Only UST systems within 1000 ft. of a water well must comply.
Suction Piping	Every 3 years
Gravity Flow Piping	Every 2 years
Pressurized Piping	Annually. NOTE: Positive shutdown fulfills this requirement

Q. Will I have to remove my single wall tanks?

Yes. Senate Bill 445 dictates that all single wall underground storage tanks must be properly closed by December 31, 2025. A Local Guidance letter from the California State Water Resources Control Board describing the Bill can be found HERE. IMPORTANT NOTE: If you intend to access money from the UST Cleanup Fund, your application requesting access to that money from the State must be submitted to the State by December 31, 2024 one full year before the deadline for tank removal! This means you should begin the Monterey County UST removal application process immediately to ensure adequate time for project approval.

Q. How do I remove my old UST?

Q. How do I remove my hydraulic lift system?

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