Services

Underground Storage Tanks (UST)
Compliance

For UST Compliance contact:

• John Henry, PE

Description

OTO offers two types of underground storage tank (UST) services. The first pertains to obtaining or renewing a Certificate of Compliance (COC) to become eligible for reimbursement under the Massachusetts UST Petroleum Product Cleanup Fund (MGL Chapter 21J), and the second involves a Third Party Inspection to verify UST compliance with the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations 527 CMR 9.00. USTs subject to these regulations store petroleum product for non-consumptive use, meaning it is used for industrial processes, fueling a fleet of vehicles, or for retail sales.

Either service requires a site visit to observe components of the UST system and verification of the FP-290 registration form, permits and compliance testing (i.e., cathodic protection and/or product line testing). However, the Third Party Inspection involves a more detailed level of observation, field verification, and reporting. COC applications and renewals must be certified by a Professional Engineer, and Third Party Inspections and reports must be performed by a Third Party Inspector approved by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. OTO staff includes Professional Engineers and approved Third Party Inspectors who have completed numerous inspections and associated filings.

Holding a valid COC for each subject UST is of critical importance. Only owners or operators of UST systems holding a valid COC at the time of a release are eligible for reimbursement under the Cleanup Fund, which is commonly referred to as the 21J Fund. Not having a valid COC can be a costly oversight. COCs must be renewed every five years, or whenever significant modifications are made to an existing UST system. Third Party Inspections are required every three years, and the initial inspection must be completed by August 2010.

For facilities applying for a COC, a Board Acceptable Site Assessment (BASA) must be performed to determine baseline soil and groundwater conditions. A BASA is similar to a 21E Phase I/II. OTO has the qualified staff and experience to perform these services for you. If the BASA indicates a release has occurred, OTO has seven Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs), several remediation engineers, and numerous environmental scientists on staff that can perform response actions under the 21E program. Let us help you achieve and maintain compliance with the underground storage tank regulations.