ABOVEGROUND STORAGE TANKS (AST)

Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Program

As of January 1, 2008, authority to enforce the Aboveground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) was transferred from the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) to the local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The CUPA for Placer County, with the exception of City of Roseville Fire Dept, is Placer County Environmental Health.

The APSA applies to operators of any Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) with a capacity greater than 1320 gallons and facilities where 1320 gallons or more of petroleum is stored in containers that hold at least 55 gallons.

The APSA requires operators to prepare and implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures(SPCC) Plan, conduct periodic inspections and immediately report releases to the CUPA (Placer County Environmental Health) and the California Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

The CUPA is required to inspect specified aboveground petroleum storage tanks and petroleum storage facilities once every three years. The purpose is to determine if the tanks and facilities are in SPCCP compliance, and to take enforcement action when appropriate. Prior to inspections, CUPA inspectors must complete and pass a CalEPA established aboveground storage tank training program. CUPAs are also required to collect and report program data annually to CalEPA.


Placer County APSA Billing Information

Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Program - Resources

CalEPA Fact Sheet (.pdf 62KB)
Above Ground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA) Flyer (.pdf 753KB)
AST Training Presentation - The Powerpoint presentation that was given in the Aboveground Storage Tank Regulations workshops in April and May of 2010.

AST Forms/Applications

Please visit the Hazardous Materials page of our Applications, Forms, and Fees section for Aboveground Storage Tank Facility permitting related forms.

Regulations for Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank Facilities

As the CUPA for Placer County, the Hazardous Materials Division of Environmental Health is authorized to ensure that businesses which are impacted by the State APSA have a SPCCP in place. Attached below are the guidelines for complying with the State of California APSA, approved effective January 1, 1990. The regulations contained in the APSA are in conformance with the Federal regulations promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the authority of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) as defined in Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 112 (40 CFR, Part 112). Under the FWPCA, Federal agencies are also required to comply with State and local regulations with respect to oil pollution prevention.

All aboveground petroleum storage tank facilities with a single tank capacity greater than 1,320 gallons or with a cumulative storage capacity of 1,320 gallons stored in containers of 55 gallons or greater, due to their location, could reasonably be expected to discharge oil in harmful quantities into or upon the navigable waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines are subject to the APSA. The term "navigable waters", as defined in the FWPCA, has been very broadly interpreted by EPA and the courts. Navigable waters include: territorial seas, lakes, rivers, streams, intermittent streams, wetlands, and prairie potholes. Tributaries of such waters are also included, as are other conveyances that lead to navigable waters. Thus almost every waterway, even if extremely small, could be considered one of the "navigable waters."

Placer County and the SWRCB, with EPA concurrence, has determined that ANY aboveground petroleum storage tank in California has a reasonable possibility of discharging to a navigable water.

Federal EPA - Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Rule, Compliance, and Guidance.

Health and Safety Code, Sect. 25270, Above Ground Petroleum Storage Act (APSA)

General Tank Information

Before purchasing, installing, or retrofitting an existing tank the local Fire Marshall and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) should be contacted for any site specific restrictions. In some locations you may be able to obtain a written waiver of certain UFC requirements.

There are several commercial tank systems available that meet the requirements of the APSA, and OSHA and UFC regulations. Many of these tanks are also available with optional equipment to meet any CARB requirements for vapor recovery. Serious consideration should be given to purchasing one of these self contained units when constructing a new tank facility or to bring an existing tank facility into compliance. Many of these tanks are on the GSA schedule.

When AST's are abandoned, temporarily taken out-of-service, or removed, the applicable Federal, State, and local regulations must also be followed. AST's that are out of service must be permanently closed in accordance with 40 CFR 112.2 . AST's that are out of service for one year or more must be removed from the property.