Underground Storage Tanks

EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) is working with its state and industry partners to evaluate the performance of new and upgraded underground storage tank (UST) systems. While new and upgraded UST systems are significantly more protective of the environment than previous generations of UST systems, releases continue to occur. OUST is working to determine the primary sources and causes of releases, as well as determine how well leak detection systems are detecting releases. OUST is also comparing the performance of various types of UST systems (e.g., steel vs. fiberglass tanks, single-walled versus double-walled systems). This effort will provide EPA, states, and industry with critical information to help maintain the progress we have made to date in preventing and detecting releases, and will help EPA move the program forward toward better and more protective UST systems.

OUST is currently working on several studies to obtain quantitative data about UST system performance. These studies include information on the sources and causes of releases from UST systems. OUST expects to complete these studies in 2005. In addition, OUST recently completed a study on dispenser releases in South Carolina. For more information, see OUST Projects/Studies.

OUST also has gathered information on other UST system evaluation studies and projects. For more information, see Other Projects/Studies.

If you have information to support EPA's UST system evaluation, or if you have questions about EPA's work, please contact Paul Miller at (703-603-7165).

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