The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regulates Petroleum Storage Tank inspections. Primary authority of inspections on initial installation of USTs and ASTs is the Texas Water Commission.
If you have a petroleum storage tank in Texas, here are some documents you may find helpful:
- PST Super Guide a comprehensive guide to Compliance in Texas, 92 pages
- Texas Administrative Code look up what you are responsible for knowing to keep your tanks in compliance
Spill buckets were required to be installed on all tanks by 12/22/1990. Effective October 30, 2008, all spill containers, regardless of their date of installation, need to be inspected at least once every 60 days – to make sure that the spill container’s sides and bottoms and any penetration points are liquid tight. If liquids or debris are found during the inspection, remove and properly dispose of them within 96 hours of discovery. Be sure to keep a record of your inspections with the date, results, and name of the person performing the inspection. The TCEQ offers a sample Inspection Log for Spill Containers that you can use, or you can create your own.
Spill Buckets are not the only thing that must be inspected every 60 days. If Interstitial Monitoring is the Primary Release Detection Method indicated on the tank registration forms submitted to the TCEQ, Containment Sumps must be inspected. Caveat: If the sump was installed before 1/1/2009 it must be inspected every 60 days, but if the sump was installed after 1/1/2009 it is required to have an annual inspection and hydrostatic testing every three years.
If you have a steel tank, Cathodic Protection is required, and must be inspected. Impressed Current cathodic protection systems must additionally be inspected every 60 days by the owner/operator to ensure that the rectifier and other system components are operating properly.
TAIT is performing 60-Day Sump Inspections in Texas. With a long history of secondary containment testing and tank system installation/removal/repairs, we are ideally situated to assist in the transition to a more heavily regulated petroleum storage tank environment. Our technicians can look for repairs needed, pull permits and in some instances complete the repairs in the same day.