Section 140. Requirements for petroleum UST systems

A. Owners and operators of petroleum UST systems required to have secondary containment under subdivision 7 of 9VAC25-580-50 must provide secondary containment and release detection for tanks and piping as follows:

1. Secondary containment systems must be designed, constructed, and installed to:

a. Contain regulated substances released from the tank system until they are detected and removed;

b. Prevent the release of regulated substances to the environment at any time during the operational life of the UST system; and

c. Be checked for evidence of a release at least every 30 days.

2. Double-walled tanks must be designed, constructed, and installed to:

a. Contain a release from any portion of the inner tank within the outer wall; and

b. Detect the failure of the inner wall.

3. External liners (including vaults) must be designed, constructed, and installed to:

a. Contain 100% of the capacity of the largest tank within its boundary;

b. Prevent the interference of precipitation or groundwater intrusion with the ability to contain or detect a release of regulated substances; and

c. Surround the tank completely (i.e., it is capable of preventing lateral as well as vertical migration of regulated substances).

4. Underground piping must be equipped with secondary containment that satisfies the requirements of subdivision 1 of this subsection (e.g., trench liners, jacketing of double-walled pipe). In addition, underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure must be equipped with an automatic line leak detector in accordance with subdivision 1 of 9VAC25-580-170.

5. Perform interstitial monitoring in accordance with subdivision 7 of 9VAC 25-580-160.

B. Owners and operators of petroleum USTs required to have secondary containment under subdivision 7 of 9VAC25-580-50 must have motor fuel underdispenser containment that is liquid-tight on its sides, bottom, and at any penetrations; be compatible with the substance conveyed by the piping; and allow for visual inspection and access to the components in the containment system or be monitored.

C. Owners and operators of petroleum UST systems not required to have secondary containment under subdivision 7 of 9VAC25-580-50 must provide release detection for tanks and piping as follows:

1. Tanks. Tanks must be monitored at least every 30 days for releases using one of the methods listed in subdivisions 4 through 8 of 9VAC25-580-160 except that:

a. UST systems that meet the performance standards in subdivisions 1 through 5 of 9VAC25-580-50 or subdivisions 1 through 4 of 9VAC25-580-60 may use both monthly inventory control requirements in subdivision 1 or 2 of 9VAC25-580-160, and tank tightness testing (conducted in accordance with subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-580-160 at least every five years until December 22, 1998, or until 10 years after the tank is installed or upgraded under subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-580-60, whichever is later;

b. UST systems that do not meet the performance standards in 9VAC25-580-50 or 9VAC25-580-60 may use monthly inventory controls (conducted in accordance with subdivision 1 or 2 of 9VAC25-580-160) and annual tank tightness testing (conducted in accordance with subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-580-160) until December 22, 1998, when the tank must be upgraded under 9VAC25-580-60 or permanently closed under 9VAC25-580-320; and

c. Tanks with capacity of 550 gallons or less may use weekly tank gauging (conducted in accordance with subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-580-160).

2. Piping. Underground piping that routinely contains regulated substances must be monitored for releases in a manner that meets one of the following requirements:

a. Pressurized piping. Underground piping that conveys regulated substances under pressure must:

(1) Be equipped with an automatic line leak detector conducted in accordance with subdivision 1 of 9VAC25-580-170; and

(2) Have an annual line tightness test conducted in accordance with subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-580-170 or have monthly monitoring conducted in accordance with subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-580-170.

b. Suction piping. Underground piping that conveys regulated substances under suction must either have a line tightness test conducted at least every three years and in accordance with subdivision 2 of 9VAC25-580-170, or use a monthly monitoring method conducted in accordance with subdivision 3 of 9VAC25-580-170. No release detection is required for suction piping that is designed and constructed to meet the following standards:

(1) The below-grade piping operates at less than atmospheric pressure;

(2) The below-grade piping is sloped so that the contents of the pipe will drain back into the storage tank if the suction is released;

(3) Only one check valve is included in each suction line;

(4) The check valve is located directly below and as close as practical to the suction pump; and

(5) A method is provided that allows compliance with subdivisions 2 b (2) through (4) of this subsection to be readily determined.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR680-13-02 § 4.2, eff. October 25, 1989; amended, Volume 26, Issue 25, eff. September 15, 2010.

Statutory Authority

§§ 62.1-44.15 and 62.1-44.34:9 of the Code of Virginia; 40 CFR Parts 280 and 281.