Underground storage tanks (USTs) are widely used to store hazardous substances such as petroleum products, industrial chemicals, and other liquid materials.
Found beneath gas stations, industrial facilities, and even residential properties, these tanks play a critical role in ensuring safe storage. However, when USTs fail, they can lead to significant environmental, health, and economic hazards. Leaking underground storage tanks (LUSTs) pose a pressing issue that requires attention from policymakers, businesses, and the public alike.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), approximately 544,000 UST systems are currently regulated across the United States. While stringent regulations have reduced the frequency of leaks, aging infrastructure and human error still lead to thousands of reported leaks annually. The consequences of such incidents are far-reaching, impacting soil, water, air, and public health.
What Are Underground Storage Tanks?
An underground storage tank system includes a tank and any underground piping connected to it. The EPA defines a UST as any tank with at least 10% of its combined volume (including pipes) buried underground. Common uses include storing gasoline at service stations, heating oil for homes, and chemicals for industrial purposes.
What Causes Leaks?
Leaks occur due to various factors, including:
- Aging Infrastructure: Older tanks, especially those made of steel, are prone to corrosion. Tanks installed before the 1980s often lack corrosion-resistant materials, making them susceptible to structural failure.
- Improper Installation or Maintenance: Incorrect installation or lack of regular inspections increases the risk of damage.
- Overfills and Spills: During refueling or transfer operations, overfills can lead to hazardous materials entering the surrounding soil.
- External Factors: Natural disasters, construction activity, and vehicular traffic can damage tanks and their piping.
Environmental Impacts of LUSTs
Contamination of Groundwater
Groundwater contamination is one of the most severe consequences of LUSTs. The EPA estimates that groundwater provides drinking water for nearly half of the U.S. population. When hazardous substances like benzene, toluene, and xylene seep into groundwater, they pose serious health risks. These compounds, often found in petroleum products, are known carcinogens and can lead to chronic illnesses even at low exposure levels.
Soil Degradation
Leaks can also lead to soil contamination, rendering land unusable for agricultural or recreational purposes. Contaminants affect soil structure and fertility, making remediation efforts complex and costly.
Air Pollution
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from leaks can evaporate into the atmosphere, contributing to air pollution. These compounds can cause respiratory problems and exacerbate conditions like asthma when inhaled by humans.
Health Risks
Exposure to contaminants from LUSTs can have acute and chronic health effects. Immediate symptoms may include dizziness, headaches, and nausea due to inhalation of VOCs. Long-term exposure increases the risk of cancer, liver damage, and neurological disorders.
Particularly vulnerable populations include children, pregnant women, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The spread of contaminants through groundwater or surface water systems can also jeopardize community water supplies, exacerbating public health crises.
Economic Consequences
The economic burden of LUSTs is significant. Cleanup costs can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the severity of the leak. Local governments and property owners often bear the brunt of these expenses. Additionally, contaminated sites lose property value, and businesses reliant on affected land may face lawsuits or loss of reputation.
The EPA's Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Trust Fund helps address some of these costs, providing financial assistance for site remediation. However, the fund alone cannot cover all incidents, highlighting the importance of prevention over remediation.
Regulatory Framework
The U.S. government has taken steps to regulate UST systems and mitigate risks. The EPA enforces stringent requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which includes regulations for tank design, installation, operation, and closure. Key provisions include:
- Corrosion Protection: New tanks must be constructed with materials resistant to corrosion or have corrosion protection systems.
- Leak Detection Systems: All USTs must be equipped with systems to detect leaks early, such as automatic tank gauging or interstitial monitoring.
- Periodic Inspections: Regular inspections ensure compliance with safety standards and identify potential issues before they escalate.
- Operator Training: UST operators are required to undergo training to understand proper maintenance and emergency response protocols.
Despite these measures, enforcement and compliance remain challenges, especially for older systems or in underfunded regions.
Solutions and Best Practices
Prevention
Preventing leaks is the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible approach. Businesses and property owners should prioritize the following:
- Upgrade Infrastructure: Replace aging tanks with modern systems designed to resist corrosion and detect leaks.
- Regular Maintenance: Schedule periodic inspections to identify and address vulnerabilities.
- Use Secondary Containment: Install barriers or double-walled tanks to prevent leaks from reaching the environment.
Early Detection
Early detection technologies can significantly reduce the impact of leaks. Advanced sensors, real-time monitoring systems, and automated alerts allow for rapid response to incidents.
Community Awareness
Educating communities about the risks of LUSTs and reporting protocols can help ensure timely intervention. Local governments should work with businesses to host workshops and distribute informational materials.
Remediation
When leaks occur, prompt and effective cleanup is essential. Remediation methods include:
- Soil Vapor Extraction (SVE): Removing volatile contaminants from soil using vapor extraction systems
- Bioremediation: Using microorganisms to break down pollutants
- Pump-and-Treat Systems: Extracting contaminated groundwater and treating it offsite.
GPRS Services Assist with Environmental Due Diligence
As part of the due diligence process in real estate transactions, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) often uncover recognized environmental conditions (RECs) tied to a property’s current or past use. These RECs may stem from sources such as LUST sites that weren’t properly closed, dry cleaning operations, manufacturing or industrial facilities, vehicle repair shops, or improper disposal of hazardous chemicals.
When Phase II ESA investigations are needed to evaluate potential soil, groundwater, or soil vapor impacts, prioritizing field staff safety and safeguarding the property’s infrastructure is essential. GPRS utilizes industry-leading equipment operated by our highly skilled Project Managers. Our adherence to Subsurface Investigation Methodology (SIM) ensures that all proposed locations for soil borings, groundwater monitoring wells, and soil vapor pins are cleared of utilities before drilling. GPS mapping of utility findings and sample locations is included with every project.
If contamination of soil, groundwater, or soil gas is detected above cleanup thresholds, further investigation may be required to confirm there are no exposure pathways or to address remediation needs. With detailed maps from the initial investigation, GPRS can efficiently locate prior sample sites, conduct utility restakes, and assess whether nearby utilities could serve as contamination migration pathways.
GPRS is the trusted leader in damage prevention for the environmental sector. Our project managers provide support from the initial investigation through delineation and remediation to project completion. With a nationwide network of Project Managers, we are ready to mobilize to projects anywhere in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) site?
A LUST site refers to a location where an underground storage tank (UST) has leaked, releasing hazardous substances such as petroleum products or chemicals into the surrounding soil, groundwater, or both. These leaks can result from corrosion, improper installation, or operational failures. LUST sites can pose significant environmental and public health risks, including contamination of drinking water sources and soil.
How are LUST sites identified and assessed?
LUST sites are typically identified during environmental site assessments (ESAs) conducted as part of property due diligence. Phase I ESAs may uncover recognized environmental conditions (RECs) suggesting potential LUST issues, while Phase II ESAs involve soil, groundwater, or vapor sampling to confirm contamination. Advanced equipment and methodologies, such as utility locating and subsurface investigation, are used to ensure accurate and safe assessments.
What happens if contamination is found at a LUST site?
If contamination is detected above regulatory cleanup levels, further investigation and remediation may be required. This can involve removing contaminated soil, treating groundwater, or monitoring vapor intrusion pathways. Regulatory authorities may oversee the process to ensure proper cleanup and to minimize environmental and health impacts.
