During the 1970s to 1990s, there were market driven developments that redefined the tank industries in the U.S. One of these developments was the introduction of a new material to underground tanks.
Problem With Underground Storage Tanks
These new materials allowed the oil industry to replace bare steel with protected tank technology. These technologies included cathodically insulated steel, non-metallic FRP, and impressed-current designs.
Until the mid-1980s, most underground storage tanks were made of bare steel. This meant that the product inside would likely rust over time Underground water tanks. As a result, many owners attempted to mitigate corrosion through the internal lining.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) was formed in 1919, and began developing standards and guidelines for the tank system industry. In addition, another group of industry experts developed a standard for the protection of public from fire hazards.
In the late 1970s, the EPA and Congress created a federal program to regulate underground storage tanks. This was intended to minimize the likelihood of future tank leaks.
The regulations regulated tank design, spill control, and financial responsibility requirements. UST owners must comply with these requirements to avoid liability. The EPA also works with the industry to study the techniques used to remediate contaminated soil.
These regulations were not only for safety purposes but they were also designed to protect groundwater. The government also sets standards for tank installation and performance testing. In addition, the EPA is responsible for collecting information on UST systems’ performance and developing screening tools to identify the most vulnerable tanks.