Cleaning Up UST System Releases

EPA's federal underground storage tank regulations require that contaminated UST sites must be cleaned up to restore and protect groundwater resources and create a safe environment for those who live or work around these sites.

Petroleum releases can contain contaminants like MTBE and other contaminants of concern that can make water unsafe or unpleasant to drink. Releases can also result in fire and explosion hazards as well as produce long-term health effects.

Contaminated UST sites vary considerably. Some are very contaminated sites at which groundwater resources have been adversely impacted and may involve years of cleanup activities that can cost more than $1 million. Other sites may involve relatively minor or no groundwater contamination that may allow cleanup contractors to restore the site more quickly and at less cost. Some contaminated sites have impacted only surrounding soil and have not involved groundwater - these are generally easier and less expensive to clean up. The average cleanup cost for a contaminated UST site is about $125,000.

Several methods have been successfully used for over a decade to clean up thousands of sites. Often the specific characteristics of the site (its type of soil, proximity to groundwater and so on) make it a better candidate for some cleanup methods rather than others.

A contaminated site will need a site characterization (also referred to as "site assessment" as the terms are used interchangeably) that can help professionals choose the best cleanup method. Professional cleanup contractors base their decisions on site-specific investigations and with local environmental agency approval. In some cases, state or federal regulators take the lead at a contaminated UST site and will make all the cleanup decisions.

For more information, visit the EPA's Office of Underground Storage Tanks Cleaning Up UST System Releases Web site.

Published: April 1, 2002