7.3 Underground Storage Tanks and Waste Minimization
2 min read•august 9, 2024
Underground storage tanks pose serious environmental risks if they leak. RCRA regulations aim to prevent and detect leaks through strict design, construction, and monitoring requirements for tanks storing petroleum or hazardous substances underground.
Waste minimization strategies reduce environmental impact by cutting waste at the source. This includes modifying processes, materials, and implementing pollution prevention techniques to align with RCRA's goals of conserving resources and protecting human health.
Underground Storage Tanks (USTs)
Definition and Regulatory Framework
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- Underground storage tanks store petroleum or hazardous substances underground
- Leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) pose significant environmental and health risks
- established by the (EPA) under RCRA
- Regulations apply to tanks with at least 10% of their volume underground
- Exempt tanks include farm and residential tanks under 1,100 gallons, heating oil tanks for on-site use
Tank Design and Construction Requirements
- Double-walled construction mandated for new USTs
- Corrosion-resistant materials (fiberglass-reinforced plastic, steel with cathodic protection)
- Spill prevention equipment includes overfill alarms and automatic shutoff devices
- Secondary containment systems catch leaks before they reach soil or groundwater
- Installation must be performed by certified professionals following industry standards
Leak Detection and Monitoring Systems
- Monthly monitoring required for all USTs
- Automatic tank gauging systems measure product levels and detect discrepancies
- Interstitial monitoring checks space between tank walls for leaks
- Vapor monitoring detects fuel vapors in soil around tanks
- Groundwater monitoring wells sample nearby water for contamination
- Statistical inventory reconciliation analyzes delivery and sales data for inconsistencies
Waste Minimization
Source Reduction Strategies
- Waste minimization reduces or eliminates waste at the source
- Process modifications optimize production to generate less waste (lean manufacturing)
- Input material changes substitute hazardous materials with safer alternatives
- Improved operating practices include better inventory management and spill prevention
- Technology advancements lead to more efficient, less wasteful equipment (3D printing)
Recycling and Reuse Techniques
- Recycling converts waste materials into new products (paper, plastics, metals)
- Closed-loop recycling reuses materials within the same production process
- Open-loop recycling repurposes materials for different applications
- Reuse extends the life of products through repair, refurbishment, or repurposing
- Industrial symbiosis exchanges waste materials between different industries as resources
Pollution Prevention Approaches
- Pollution prevention (P2) focuses on avoiding the creation of pollutants
- Life cycle assessment evaluates environmental impacts throughout a product's lifespan
- Green chemistry principles design safer, less toxic chemical processes
- Energy efficiency measures reduce emissions and resource consumption
- Water conservation techniques minimize wastewater generation and treatment needs
- Employee training programs promote waste reduction and environmental awareness
Key Terms to Review (18)
Clean Water Act: The Clean Water Act is a key piece of U.S. legislation that aims to restore and maintain the integrity of the nation's waters by preventing point and non-point source pollution, regulating discharges into navigable waters, and establishing water quality standards. This law connects to various aspects of environmental governance and public health, reflecting foundational principles of environmental law and policy.
Double-walled tanks: Double-walled tanks are specialized containers used to store hazardous liquids and materials, designed with an outer wall that surrounds an inner tank. This construction provides an extra layer of protection against leaks and spills, significantly reducing the risk of environmental contamination. The space between the two walls can also serve as a monitoring area to detect any leaks in the inner tank before they can escape into the environment.
Environmental Protection Agency: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a U.S. governmental organization established to enforce national regulations and laws aimed at protecting human health and the environment. It plays a crucial role in overseeing compliance with environmental laws, setting standards, and implementing programs that manage air and water quality, hazardous waste, and more.
Groundwater contamination: Groundwater contamination refers to the presence of harmful substances in underground water sources, often resulting from human activities or natural processes. This issue is significant as it threatens drinking water supplies and can lead to severe health problems for populations relying on contaminated water. It is closely linked to the management of underground storage tanks and efforts in waste minimization to prevent leaks and spills that contribute to pollution.
Hazardous waste: Hazardous waste refers to any discarded material that poses a substantial or potential threat to public health or the environment due to its characteristics, such as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity. These wastes can originate from various sources, including industrial processes, chemical manufacturing, and household products. Proper management and disposal of hazardous waste are critical to prevent contamination and ensure safety.
ISO 14001: ISO 14001 is an international standard that outlines the requirements for an effective environmental management system (EMS). It provides a framework for organizations to enhance their environmental performance, comply with regulations, and demonstrate accountability. This standard is crucial for businesses aiming to minimize their environmental impact while promoting sustainability, making it relevant in areas like corporate responsibility, waste management, and environmental auditing.
Leak Detection: Leak detection refers to the methods and technologies used to identify and locate leaks in underground storage tanks (USTs) that store hazardous materials such as petroleum products. Timely leak detection is crucial for preventing environmental contamination, safeguarding human health, and ensuring regulatory compliance. Effective leak detection strategies are an essential part of waste minimization practices as they help manage and mitigate the risks associated with potential leaks.
National Fire Protection Association: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization that develops codes and standards to help prevent fires and ensure safety. Established in 1896, it plays a critical role in fire safety legislation, influencing regulations around fire prevention, building safety, and emergency response. By providing guidelines for the safe installation and maintenance of underground storage tanks, the NFPA helps to minimize the risk of fire hazards associated with hazardous materials.
Non-hazardous waste: Non-hazardous waste refers to materials that are discarded and do not pose a risk to human health or the environment, as they do not contain harmful substances or exhibit hazardous properties. These wastes can be generated from various sources, including residential, commercial, and industrial activities, and are typically managed through standard waste disposal methods such as landfilling or recycling.
Recycling: Recycling is the process of collecting, processing, and reusing materials that would otherwise be considered waste. This practice not only helps in reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills but also conserves natural resources and energy, making it a crucial component in effective waste management systems.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a federal law enacted in 1976 aimed at managing hazardous waste from its creation to its disposal. It establishes a framework for the proper management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, ensuring safe treatment, storage, and disposal while promoting resource recovery and recycling. RCRA's comprehensive approach is essential for protecting human health and the environment, linking closely with practices like cradle-to-grave regulation, underground storage tank management, and self-reporting programs.
Site characterization: Site characterization is the process of collecting and analyzing data to understand the physical, chemical, and biological conditions of a specific location, particularly in relation to environmental contamination and regulatory compliance. This process is crucial for determining the extent of contamination, evaluating potential risks to human health and the environment, and informing decisions about remediation or management strategies.
Soil degradation: Soil degradation is the decline in soil quality and productivity caused by various factors such as erosion, compaction, pollution, and nutrient depletion. It significantly impacts agricultural yields, ecosystem health, and water quality, often leading to further environmental issues. Understanding soil degradation is crucial for developing strategies for land use and waste management that promote sustainability and minimize negative environmental impacts.
Source reduction: Source reduction refers to the practice of minimizing waste generation at its origin, aiming to reduce the amount and toxicity of materials produced and used. This concept is integral to sustainable practices as it not only lowers the quantity of waste needing disposal but also conserves resources, reduces pollution, and encourages efficient production processes. By focusing on prevention rather than management, source reduction promotes environmental health and supports circular economy initiatives.
Spill prevention control and countermeasure plans: Spill prevention control and countermeasure plans (SPCC Plans) are strategies developed to prevent, contain, and mitigate spills of hazardous substances, especially petroleum products, into navigable waters or adjoining shorelines. These plans are required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Water Act and serve as a proactive measure to protect water resources from pollution.
Superfund Act: The Superfund Act, officially known as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), was enacted in 1980 to address the cleanup of hazardous waste sites in the United States. It established a trust fund to provide for cleanup when no responsible party could be identified and emphasized the need for remediation of contaminated sites to protect human health and the environment.
Tank integrity testing: Tank integrity testing is a process used to evaluate the structural integrity and leak-tightness of underground storage tanks (USTs) to ensure they are not leaking harmful substances into the environment. This testing is crucial for protecting groundwater and preventing soil contamination, as USTs are often used to store hazardous materials such as petroleum products or chemicals. Regular integrity testing is a key component in maintaining compliance with environmental regulations and minimizing waste.
UST Regulations: UST Regulations refer to a set of rules and standards established to manage underground storage tanks containing petroleum and other hazardous substances. These regulations are critical for preventing leaks and spills that can contaminate soil and groundwater, and they include requirements for installation, maintenance, monitoring, and reporting of USTs. By ensuring proper management, UST Regulations play a key role in protecting environmental health and minimizing waste.