UST CLOSURE

An underground storage tank, or UST, is a buried tank used to store products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, or other chemicals. Underground tanks can be found at gas stations, service stations, commercial and industrial facilities, and residential properties. UST removal may be necessary when a tank is no longer in use, is being replaced, has deteriorated, or presents a concern during a property sale or redevelopment project. Requirements vary depending on the tank’s contents, use, and regulatory status. VET helps you evaluate existing or abandoned underground storage tanks and determine an appropriate path forward. View IDEM’s guidance explaining UST closure options, including removal, in-place closure, and change-in-service here.

UST removal involves more than excavating and lifting a tank from the ground. Depending on the project, the process may include coordinating utility locations and permits, removing residual product and sludge, excavating the tank and associated piping, collecting environmental samples, and arranging for proper handling and disposal of materials. VET manages and oversees the work, helping you address the tank and evaluate whether a release has affected the surrounding soil or groundwater. View IDEM’s guidance explaining advance notice, environmental site assessment, soil and groundwater sampling, and reporting for UST closures here.

A leaking underground storage tank, or LUST, is a tank system that has released its contents into the environment. Leaks can result from corrosion, damaged tanks or piping, equipment failures, spills, or overfills. A petroleum release may go unnoticed for years and can affect soil, groundwater, or nearby properties. VET helps you investigate suspected and confirmed releases, understand the extent of contamination, and determine what response may be needed. View IDEM’s overview explaining how leaking USTs can affect soil, groundwater, and nearby properties, and how to report a suspected release here.

Environmental sampling helps determine whether a release has occurred and whether additional investigation is needed. Depending on the site, VET may collect soil and/or groundwater samples around the underground storage tank, piping, or suspected release area and submit them for laboratory analysis. The results help identify petroleum contamination and guide decisions about additional investigation, soil removal, groundwater monitoring, or other corrective action. View IDEM’s UST closure sampling guidance for soil and groundwater here and its site characterization and sampling guidance here.

Leaking underground storage tank remediation may involve removing the tank, excavating petroleum-contaminated soil, managing and disposing of impacted materials, or monitoring and treating groundwater. The appropriate response depends on the product released, the extent of contamination, site conditions, potential exposure, and applicable regulatory requirements. VET develops a practical remediation strategy and oversees cleanup activities to address the conditions at your site without unnecessary work. View EPA’s overview of the response and corrective-action process for leaking USTs here.

A tank removal or petroleum release may require coordination with a regulatory agency, environmental reporting, follow-up sampling, or groundwater monitoring. VET helps manage those steps, including communication with the appropriate agency, preparation of investigation and remediation reports, and submission of documentation to support tank closure and, when applicable, closure of the release. Our goal is to help you understand your obligations and move your project toward completion with confidence. View IDEM’s guidance on reporting suspected releases here and its independent closure process for low-priority petroleum releases here.