Hazardous Materials

Underground Storage Tank System Closure Guidelines
(Temporary Closure/Removal/Closure in Place)

This guide offers a general overview of applicable requirements. Please refer to El Dorado County Ordinance 4332 and Attachment A-D available at Solid Waste Home Page for further instructions. Additional requirements for UST closure include applicable sections of Title 23, Division 3, Chapter 16 of the California Code of Regulations and Chapter 6.7 of the California Health & Safety Code.

A valid permit must be issued by this agency, prior to commencing closure activities. You must schedule an appointment with the Hazardous Materials Division (HMD) a minimum of three days prior to the commencement of temporary closure, removal or abandonment activities.


A. TEMPORARY CLOSURE

Temporary closure may be permitted for a period of up to one year. By the end of that period, the UST system must either be placed back into operation or removed. To apply for a temporary closure permit:

1. Submit a complete UST closure application, work plan and applicable fee(s).
2. Submit complete State Forms A and B.
3. Submit documentation indicating the contents of the UST system has been disposed of at an approved location.
4. Submit documentation indicating the UST system has been triple rinsed (inerted) and the rinseate has been disposed of at an approved location.
5. Properly vent and secure a locking cap on the tank access.

Temporary closure measures must be maintained and inspected by the designated operator every three months. Written documentation of these inspections must be maintained.

B. CLOSURE BY REMOVAL

1. Submit a complete UST closure application, work plan and applicable fee(s).
2. Submit complete State Forms A and B.
3. The work plan must include the following:

• Site plot plan with location of UST system(s) and all utilities.
• Indicate if tank will be triple rinsed or transported as hazardous waste. If tank will be triple rinsed, indicate rinseate destination.
• Destination of the tank & piping
• Statement indicating that a certificate of tank destruction will be provided to HMD.
• Sampling plan with number and location of soil and/or ground water samples collected upon removal of UST system (tank, piping, and stockpiles areas). Indicate the method to be used to obtain the samples.
• Soil and groundwater sample analytical methods.
• Name of State of California certified laboratory to be used .
• Description of how all excavated soil shall stockpiled pending receipt of analytical data.
• Name and location of contaminated soils disposal site.

   4.  Demonstrate that approval has been obtained from the following agencies, as applicable:

• Local Fire Department or District
• Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (Tahoe Basin Only)
• Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board (Tahoe Basin Only)

   5.  Copies of analytical results must be submitted to EMD within five days of receipt.

  6.  Documentation of proper disposal of all contaminated soil, rinseate, discarded product and tank certificate of destruction shall be provided to EMD within five days of  receipt.

  7.  If tank is to be reused, provide documentation of:

• name of new owner and new operator of underground tank,
• location of intended use, and
• nature of intended use.

C. CLOSURE IN PLACE

Removal is the preferred closure method. Closure in place will only be permitted in rare circumstances related to significant potential impact on adjacent structures and documented absence of soil and/or groundwater contamination. If an owner or operator knowingly installs a tank in close proximity to a structure or knowingly installs a structure in closure proximity to a tank, closure in place will not be permitted.

1. Submit documentation from a registered structural engineer that states the integrity of the structure above or adjacent to the tank shall be compromised by removal of the UST system and a description of required mitigation measures should the request for closure in place be denied.
2. Submit complete State Forms A and B.
3. Submit a work plan for subsurface soil and water investigation to demonstrate an unauthorized release has not occurred. The work plan shall include, but not be limited to the following:
   a. Site plot plan including location of UST system(s) and all utilities.
   b. Sampling plan including number and location of soil and ground water samples to be collected from beneath or adjacent to the UST system. Indicate method to be used to obtain samples.
   c. Analytical methods for and ground water samples.
   d. Name and location of State of California certified laboratory to be used.
   e. Contents disposal destination.
   f. Triple rinse method and rinseate disposal destination.
4. Schedule an appointment with this office a minimum of three days in advance to witness the sampling activities.
5. Contents disposal documentation, rinseate disposal documentation and analytical results must be submitted to EMD within five days of receipt.